Survival of the Fittest

The “survival of the fittest” is a term we’ve all heard often enough.It has been used many times and in many different contexts. But what does it mean to us on a daily basis when life is just not going our way? The ability to survive into today’s world takes a lot of guts and quite a bit of courage. The unemployment rate is slowly creeping upwards, the housing market is at a stand-still, and the divorce rate is skyrocketing. People are scared and nervous about the future.

It’s OK to be frightened; we’re human.  It’s a tough time for all of us.  Unfortunately it means that we will have to work harder to achieve success.  Job hunting now requires some serious work.  We are forced to step out of our safety zone and become more pro-active.  If we want that paycheck we are just going to have to get creative and explore our hidden talents.  Hey, we might even be able to add that to our resumes.

It’s amazing how hard we’ll fight for what we truly want.  If your marriage is struggling for survival but you’re not ready to give up then don’t.  Try going to counseling or opening the doors of communication.   People are under tremendous stress and anxiety; that is enough to put a strain on the most solid of relationships, friendships included.  It’s amazing how nice it is to have a shoulder to cry on.

The future may look like a tornado on the horizon but that doesn’t mean we need to run to a shelter and hide. Everyone has that special place or need which fills the gaps and makes the hard stuff not so bad. I know that if I go to the beach I will feel better. I know that being near the ocean and feeling the ebb and flow of nature will put a smile on my face.I know that I can escape in a great book.I am a reader and I believe in the healing power of the imagination; what a wonderful escape!Everyone is different and everyone has that one thing that will make everything ok. Do you love art? Go to a museum and just sit. Do you love to run? Make that time and run. Go out when the sun is peeking up and the air is crisp and clean, take it in and feel it, claim it and don’t give up. Surround yourself with happiness and amazingly it will creep into those holes and fill them. Life’s problems may still be there but you’ll have fulfillment deep inside.

We’ve got to hang on; we’ve got to survive. We can’t let the bad stuff win.