If you’ve ever tried to look up to someone who is successful and listen to their advice, you’ll notice that they tend to skip the brutal and hard stuff that nobody likes to hear. The truth is that life is made of both good and bad things.
Come to speak of it, what many tend to regard as ‘bad’ is actually a crucial element of life which, if overlooked, can totally tip the balance from one side to another.
And when you come at peace with and try to understand these much-needed elements of life, then (and only then) will you be able to truly start succeeding in life.
So, here are 10 brutal truths about life which many tend to overlook. Do the same, and you could also be in for a twisted ride.
- Life is pointless without goals
Many think that living the moment means submerging yourself in the pleasures of the things around you while ignoring the difficulties that may come ahead. However, living the moment, in fact, means using that moment for a bigger purpose.
Working for a greater purpose or goal is what makes us truly live. We need a direction toward which we could strive. Otherwise, we would just become stale and our lives would become pointless.
- Others will always think something about you, so why bother?
It doesn’t really matter what others think about you. Why? Because no matter what you do, there will always be those who will praise and those who will judge. So why bother in the first place?
Instead, being true to yourself will lead you to love yourself even more. And those who don’t like that? They aren’t worth your attention.
You wouldn’t like to be liked for being someone you aren’t. Instead, love yourself, and the right people will love you for it.
- You only have control over yourself
People tend to obsess themselves over things they can’t control. The truth is, the only thing you can control are the things you think, say, and do.
Just imagine, you can’t even control your body in certain aspects, so how do you think you can control things outside of you? Bearing this in mind, learn to let go of the things that aren’t affected by your decisions and actions.
It’s yours to decide whether you’ll be good to others, and it’s those others who decide for themselves how they’ll respond. Our virtues are ours alone, and our sins are also only ours.
Let go of the things that are out of your control and understand that no matter how you react, they will happen as they do. So, why obsess yourself over them?
- There’s no success without failure
The only real failure is the fear of failure. Often you might find yourself in situations where you decide not to do anything out of fear that it may turn out wrong. Well, guess again! It has already turned wrong because you did nothing!
Real success is one filled with trial and error. If you don’t work your way to the top, the top won’t reach out to pull you up. And on your way up, there will be failures that will teach you many things. So, go ahead, and go bravely!
- Possessions don’t define you
Possessions are temporary and they don’t possess a character of their own. Yes, you may feel better about yourself, but when you think about it, you are still the same person, with or without them.
People feel better about their clothes because others will see them dressed up. Things, things, things, just like toys – you will eventually grow out of them and will think that it’s time to go for something else.
What truly defines you, though, is your behavior, experiences, and relationships. Clothes cover your naked body, cars serve to transport you from here to there, bags carry your items, but they are all accessories that come and go.
You are the only one that stays throughout the whole time, so it’s best to invest in yourself first.
- Thoughts are useless if you don’t make them happen
Yes, you may think a lot about what you could become, or how much you love someone, or whatever else that’s on your mind. However, if you don’t turn this thought into action, don’t bother rewinding it in your head.
Thoughts are nothing if they aren’t accompanied by appropriate action. And while it’s nice to think well, if you don’t do everything to make things well, it’s like you never thought well in the first place.
Actions define you, not thoughts.
- Everything changes (and nothing will change that)
The only thing that is constant in the universe is change. We all change, things change, everything is constantly changing. If you think you can keep things the way they are (or were), you are in for a big surprise, and not a pleasant one.
Just like you constantly change, so does everyone and everything around you. Accepting change means accepting growth. Simply, life can’t go on without change. If things were supposed to stay the way they are, we would still be living in the stone age.
- Only those who weren’t born won’t die
Death is certain for everybody – it’s the most certain thing, really. Not only should you accept this fact, but you should start appreciating the time you have with those you love a bit more because everybody will eventually go away.
- There’s no use in worrying
While there are many things to worry about, there is no point in worrying about those things. Even if you worry, don’t drown yourself into these worries but use them as a reminder of what you should or could do.
And if you can’t do anything about it, there’s no point in worrying. Worries make things worse in these cases. It’s because not only will the things remain worrying, but the very act of worrying will start chipping your sanity away.
Stay sober, do everything in your power, and accept the things you can’t control.
- Temporary feelings don’t make for true happiness
Many think that the pursuit of temporary moments of joy and satisfaction is what makes for a life of happiness. The sad truth is that this kind of lifestyle only leads to suffering and constant unhappiness.
Why? Because this relentless focus on temporary pleasures will never allow you to understand that happiness doesn’t come from outside, but only from the inside. Happiness is an unconditional feeling, meaning it doesn’t depend on any ‘conditions’.
True happiness comes when you are at peace with yourself and when you start loving every bit of your being. It comes when you are content with yourself and the person you are constantly becoming through constant growth.
Inspired by Ideapod
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A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.