Dealing with Disappointment & Discouragement

“When your life is not at it’s best”

Disappointments are a common occurrence in life; but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating or painful. Especially after a series of near-misses, it’s easy to get depressed or anxious; to wonder if things are ever going to work out right; and to want to give up. Don’t give in and don’t give up.

We all have goals, wishes, and desires. Sometimes those things come to fruition and sometimes they don't. Sometimes the result is the direct consequence of what we have either done or not done. On the other hand, the result is often due to circumstances we either don't understand or over which we have little control. We often perceive the disappointments as personal failures. We internalize those feelings and end up feeling frustrated, angry, and depressed. But everyone at one time or another will have to deal with disappointment & discouragement. It is a part of life. A not so pleasant part, but yes a part of life.

What causes disappointments?
Disappointment results from thoughts and expectations being out of line with reality. Your expectations and hopes for others may be too high for the situation at hand. Even if you think your expectations are appropriate and realistic, they may not be realistic at all. One solution is to change your expectations to more realistic levels.

Some disappointments are actually predictable and preventable. Others are totally unavoidable. It is important to differentiate between the two so that you can respond appropriately.

Repeated disappointment may be the result of a pattern of faulty or irrational thinking. If you are frequently disappointed, evaluate what you are thinking and try to change faulty thinking patterns.

Things you can do to help with your disappointments!

1. Shift your expectations: Make sure your expectations are fair and reasonable
2. Put things into perspective: A mole hill is a mole hill.
3. Redirect your thinking: Stop dwelling on your disappointments
4. Communicate more effectively: Listen to what others have to say.
5. Build a network of caring people: Find a mentor. Listen to Older people.
6. Practice being an optimist: As a man thinketh so is he
7. Develop a sense of humor: a merry heart doeth good like a medicine
8. Cut other people some slack: love your neighbor as your self
9. Embrace Change: We are changing from glory to glory. From faith to faith.
10. Don’t Quit: The race is not to the strong; but those who endure to the end

For more on this life lesson, visit our podcast site at sistertosister.mypodcast.com or divinedivas.podbean.com. Divine Blessings from a Divine Diva; God Loves you and so do I –