Life is No Bed of Roses — But How Do You Respond to the Thorns?

Life isn’t always fair, and it certainly isn’t always easy. One moment you’re coasting smoothly, and the next, you’re hit with a wave of challenges that threaten to knock you down. It’s in these moments that we’re forced to choose: shrink back and let life steer us, or rise up and fight back with everything we’ve got.

In this article, we’re turning the spotlight on me. When life tests me through disappointment, loss, failure, or hardship, how do I respond? Did I stand tall, fueled by courage and hope? Or do I find myself retreating, unsure of how to keep going?

I will be sharing an experience with you of when life really hit my family and me bad, and it felt like we were never going to get out of that situation, but guess what? It's all memories, and it has taught me how to be tougher during tough moments.

Let’s talk about what happened, my coping strategies, my lessons, and how things turned around.

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Life was a bed of roses for my siblings and me until we were hit by joblessness and it came after we had been enjoying everything life can offer. You know how weary it can be when you are the one giving out, people are coming to seek help from you and there is always enough to give and still be able to feed ourselves.

Then one day, it was like something came and took all our roses away and left us alone with thorns. First of all, the struggle began with school fees, then feeding, and finally, we couldn't afford basic necessities that a human should need to live well. Our electricity was cut off, but I was lucky we already had a building of our own.

The truth was that it was a tough time, and it felt embarrassing because we had to seek help from people that have always run to us for help. It was crazy because some of them refused to help, thinking it was a lie; some would even say they don't have it because they believe it is something we would get in no time, but if they were to give it to us, it would take them a while to get it back.

Fun fact: at our lowest, that's when we had to bond the most. Everything we had, we brought it to the table, from ideas to resources. I didn't allow the situation surrounding me to stop me from doing what I can. We do have an unused field. What we did was, since we couldn't get food from the market because money is needed to exchange it, we started planting our food and growing it ourselves. Not everything but the most basic and simple ones.

Started applying for different jobs and doing all kinds of side jobs. Didn't allow the situation to stop us; the thorns came, and what did we do with them? We cut them down and used them to make firewood for our food.

In conclusion, life will always have its highs and lows, but it’s how we respond in those low moments that defines who we are. Looking back, I realize that those painful days shaped my perspective, sharpened my resilience, and strengthened the bond I share with my family. We didn’t just survive we adapted, we fought, and we grew.

So, whether you're in a season of plenty or struggling to make it through the day, know this:

hard times don’t last, but the strength and wisdom you build from them do. And when life hands you thorns, don’t let them pierce your spirit gather them, learn from them, and if you must, use them to fuel your next move. You know why, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Thanks for reading. My name is fashtioluwa

Image used is mine.

Posted Using INLEO