Life Is One Big Curve Ball

This quote has helped me through some very tough times in my life. We start out in our younger years with so many goals and ambitions. We plan and plan and plan some more, but somehow life throws us a curve ball and turns our life upside down when we least expect it. 


So where do we begin when life knocks us down? It's so easy to feel defeated and want to give up. To blame someone else, or ask the question "Why did this happen to me?" The truth is life is about change and no matter what, we can't escape life happening to us, and even if we could do we really want life to always stay stagnant? If life always stayed the same, we not only would be very bored, but we would take things for granted. In a weird and sometimes twisted way...we need the bad to appreciate the good.


A recent study showed that people who were optimistic versus pessimistic had a 50% less risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to those who are less satisfied with their lives and had a negative outlook. Optimism actually can protect us from cardiovascular disease. So maybe the key to not only happiness in our life is being positive, but it actually makes us healthier and live longer.


Going through a divorce a couple years ago was definitely a curve ball I never saw coming in my life. I planned and tried to live my life with common sense and practicality. I knew my ex husband for almost 7 years before we married, and even after marriage waited a few years before having a child. Wanted to make sure even though the love was strong, that we were compatible in marriage. As hard as we tried, we just couldn't make it work in the end and divorced after 8 years of marriage. I can finally say that after 3 years, I'm finally feeling like I'm getting my life back in order and moving on. Even though I went through many pity parties and many "why me" scenarios in my head...in the end it really was the optimism that got me through the past few years. 


Happiness is a choice. Not an easy choice by any means, but still a choice. When we wake up in the morning ultimately we have the choice to make our day a wonderful experience or a dull, stressful or a regretful experience. You ultimately have to decide..."Do I want to exist or do I want to live". I for one choose to live and I hope you choose to live rather than just exist.