Suffer the bad to appreciate the good.

I've had a bad life. There's no doubt about that.

If I was to write it all out for everyone to read I think a good percentage of you would be completely shocked. It's probably why I like to promote positivity and inclusiveness. It's a way of shedding the bad, and healing myself a little.

Bad spells in life are exactly what they are. You can't control them. They just happen.

A bad spell could last for a minute, an hour, a couple of days, months, years or even decades. It just depends what situation you are in at the time and how much control you have over yourself.

My Dad died a couple of years back. That was a bad spell for me. Because out of the thirty odd years I knew him  he never once gave me a hug or told me that he loved me.

I took it hard.

Because that was it. There was no going back now. He had his chance to rectify the bad and make it all good again. I had zero control over that, and it took me time to get over his death.

And bad spells can be like that.

I stubbed my little pinky toe on my right foot yesterday. I felt horrible for at least 5 minutes. And it swelled up like a balloon. 

Another bad spell.

I would say I was in a good state of mind right now and life is pretty good. I don't have much bothering me right now at all.

And I think back to when times were hard, and the pain and suffering. And I think, Christ, I really appreciate that things are good right now. I don't want to be feeling like that again.

And I feel this overwhelming urge to take that pain I've previously had and use it as a tool to help others avoid making the mistakes that I have, or, more importantly navigate through the waves of darkness themselves.

Do you ever feel like that?

The need to share experience to help others?

And that's why the bad doesn't feel as bad anymore. I mean I have a nice life, a nice family, good things and a roof over my head - and the next time I experience something bad I know I won't be alone.

But more importantly I'll be able to look into myself and think - don't worry, at the end of this you'll really be able to appreciate the good life again. And you can help others who were going through what I did.

A problem shared is a problem halved.

Acceptance is a great mindset to have when I'm going through a rough patch. Knowing exactly what parts of my situation I can change and accepting those parts that I can't helps. It helps a lot.

Because there's nothing harder than getting upset about a situation I can't change. That leads to a lot of nasty feelings.

Ride the waves of change my friend,

And be the best version of yourself that you can be! :)