The last two weeks have been extremely difficult. I found myself last Monday on an unexpected trip to address some very personal family matters. Throughout it all- the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs – I remembered one eternal thing: The power of being positive and how being positive impacts your life. How you view what comes your way can make or break you.
No matter how hard life slams you down against the ground, you’ve got to fight back. Life is all a matter of how you deal with the cards you’ve been dealt. Of course it is excruciatingly hard to remain positive when everything turns dark but I’ve learned throughout my forty plus years on this earth that you must. The power of being positive is the only power you’ve got against uncertainty and things you cannot change.
The most important thing I’ve tried to hold onto with all my might is the realization that no matter what —-you must never ever give up. The power of being positive will get you through anything and everything. No matter how hard life beats you up and knocks you numb to the ground. You’ve got to believe.
“Seeds of faith are always within us; sometimes it takes a crisis to nourish and encourage their growth.” – Susan Taylor
“Out of difficulties grow miracles.” – Jean de la Bruyere
“Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.” – Bern William
“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly.” – Richard Bach
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens”. – Khalil Gibran
“It is the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.
It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.
It is the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give.
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” – unknown
All photos taken in Tucson, Arizona with my measly old iPhone.
Dedicated with love to my favorite hiking partner. May we climb many more mountains together. Carpe Diem.
Beautiful shots and uplifting quotes. Stand tall in your inner strength for you have all that you need within you.
Thank you. I’m trying and fighting hard….
Lovely Blog and photographs. What keeps you positive when all mental fortitude fails? When there is no positive outcome from your actions or reactions?
Good question. I guess it is just hope and believing that every day on this earth is a gift.
You are very positive ! Thank you for you and WHAT you do !!!
Oh thanks. I try my best but it is not always easy.
Beautiful and inspirational!
🙂 Thanks Jen.
Beautiful. Hope all is well now.
Not yet. Still hanging on a cliff yet still fighting to be positive.
Nicole,
Thanks for such an inspiring post. Whatever that it is you’re going through, I wish that you’ll sail through it quickly with the least impact on yours and your family.
I agree with you on trying to stay positive and I felt that you’ve written this post for me as well. Since returned from my RTW trip (4 months by now), I still haven’t been able to find a job. Needless to says I’m running out of saving, and a series failed interviews. However, I am very hopeful that God have a better plan in store for me (employment wise) and maybe 5 years from now, when I look back at this period, it will only make me stronger.
Stay strong and I wish you the best.
Ps. Always enjoy your post and the awesome photos. This particular post shown that sometimes it’s not so much the “equipment” but the photographer’s skill, eh? If you didn’t say it, I wouldn’t know it was taken from your trusty iPhone.
Oh thank you. Yes, looking back throughout the years, it has always been the hard times that have been terrible but have made me stronger. Hoping the waters will calm soon. Thanks for your comment and support. 🙂
Reblogged this on Icanbeatit.
One favorite I remember… “If you are not in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” I think it is TS Elliot. Be blessed.
Thanks. Trying to…
Great post Nicole. I’ve been struggling with my depression and anxiety recently, and your positive words and beautiful photos really help. I hope your personal issues get better soon, thinking of you and your family x
Thanks so much. As someone who went through severe PPD after the birth of my first child,I’ve been there. It was awful and I can’t tell you how much I understand and how thankful I’m better. This is also very very painful and hard. I’m trying to remain as positive and hopeful as I can. It is just plain tough. But there has always been a spark in me that no matter what, I’ve fought. Even when things were so dark and I never thought I’d survive PPD, I did and I’m stronger and happier because of it. Take care and thanks for the kind words.
I hope all is well, NIcole. Sometimes, it can be difficult to keep on, keeping on – especially in the face of adversity. Keep up the positivity!
Thanks. I’m trying but it is hard when it impacts someone you love so dearly. I’m keeping the strength though. Got to.
I completely believe in positive thinking and people around me tells me you are excessive positive thinker. Nicely written post.
Oh thank you. Let’s hope that it helps. It has to somehow.
Great Post! Beautiful Pictures!!
http://areyoureadytoconquertheworld.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much.
Your thoughts and images are true companions in your positive philosophy. That will keep you compassionate and strong.
Thanks. I hope so. One moment I feel so strong and positive and then later I feel like I’m falling apart. I guess it is normal but I’m glad I’ve always had the fighting gene in my blood through thick and think.
Well said, Nicole. Sending more positive thoughts your way!
Thanks Jennifer. It has been a very very hard few weeks. I felt practically dead on Monday but am on the way to mending my soul.
Nicole, no matter what happens you have to stay positive and keep looking forwards. In my experience, every cloud really does have a silver lining, corny as it sounds. You just have to look for it. Thinking of you & sending love your way.
Lucy, I am tearing up reading this. You have been so incredibly supportive and amazing for me during this time. You don’t know how much this means to me. THank you Lucy. 🙂
Nicole, it was the least I could do from this distance. I’m just happy if I’ve helped you a little get through tough times. If you ever feel like you need to talk to someone outside of your family and circle of close friends send me your Skype address. Take care and be kind to yourself.
Oh thanks Lucy. It is so funny how I’ve found myself opening up much more online in my words and comments. You are right. Everyone here is too close to it all. I see them every day at school and it is the last thing I feel like talking about on the playground. Thank you as always for your kindness and support. You are a wonderful friend! 🙂
Aw thanks, Nicole! You are truly welcome and you know I’m always here for you, even if I am the other side of the world. It’s good to find the positive even in your darkest moments, so maybe taking that brave step and opening up to those you may only know online, is the positive that’s come out of your experience. I so hope we meet again one day!
Me too! 🙂
🙂
You know I’ll come to Thailand but it may be awhile. But I will!!!
I look forward to it, Nicole! If I’m still here that is. If not, then we’ll meet somewhere else!
Of course we will! 🙂
Thank you for the power of being positive, Nicole! It take courage to get that power back…
Thanks Amy. I was beginning to dwindle but after some good news I’m bouncing back and trying to get back to my life.
The quotes are wonderfully meshed with your beautiful photos. I’m sending you more positive thoughts mi amiga.
Thank you. All the support has helped so much. It was scary opening up my heart to the world as there are many people who read my blog that I don’t know. But I knew that the readers like you would help me through this and support me. It has helped. I also hope I’ve helped others going through a similar thing. 🙂
Such an inspirational post, Nicole, and great photos too. Love to you and your dad. 🙂
Thanks. Everything turned out the best they could. Still will have to go through some stuff but we got the best scenario possible. I can finally breathe again.
Hang in there, Nicole! I saw on Facebook that you had to head west. I’m thinking about you, my friend. These images are simply stunning!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
I read your post and I totally connected with it. After having a particularly bad time recently and allowing it to get me down, I finally woke up to myself in the way you describe above. What it did was truly change my whole view on life, and the things I have achieved and gained since have been truly amazing. I honestly believe that it is through positive thinking that we can begin to see change. Sending you positive wishes your way
Oh thank you so much for this comment. It has been so incredible to get the support from readers through everything. Life can really tear you apart. Yet if you are positive and have hope, then you can go through your difficult times a little easier. Thank you.
Gorgeous photos Nicole, as always. Thanks for the inspirational quotes.
Stay strong 🙂
Thanks Marianne! I am trying my best. The worst is over hopefully and we can all move on. 🙂
“Life is like riding a bicycle,
in order to keep your balance,
you must keep moving.”
– Albert Einstein
Thanks. So true. It just gets hard when life is beating you down and tearing you apart. Yet you can never give up.
hey amiga
i’ve been dealing with my own dragons these past two weeks and am sorry that i am just seeing this. my first guess is that something affected your father’s health. as you know, we get stronger when we emerge from difficult tests. hang in there. sending you strong vibes… z
Thank you. Life is a journey isn’t it. It can’t always be good and there are often dark, rough patches we must all face. I’ve faced several throughout the years. There will be more. But being positive and strong sure helps. Thanks for your words of wisdom and your continual support. It means a lot to me.
Stunning photos, wonderful quotes, and a topic I especially needed to hear right now.
Thanks LuAnn. Life has been unbearably hard. But we finally got some good news and I feel like I can start living again and heeling. Hang in there. I found out through this all that there are way more people than I know going through cancer. It is really scary. But it sure helps to have a shoulder to cry on. 🙂
I am comforted by some of these stories and know there are many people living quality lives with cancer.
Me too. My mom had cancer 30 years ago when I was only 10. They thought it was cured but it came back 10 years later when I was 20. It was really scary but I don’t think I fully understood what it was all about. Thankfully she has been healthy ever since but there is always still that fear it will come back. The same now will be true with my dad. His cancer, bladder, was caught early and is highly treatable yet tends to reoccur. I guess the good news is that oncology has truly come a very long way and there are so many amazing stories out there. It still is really frightening how many people have cancer. Everyone I know has at least someone in their family who has had it. As part of my advocacy, I really want to work hard at cancer research. I truly believe someday we will find a cure. 🙂
I have done so much reading, the past 6 years especially, since my hubby was originally diagnosed. There are some docs out there doing some amazing work, particularly with those who have been given no hope by allopathic docs. I do believe the element of a positive attitude plays prominently into the healing process. I pray both your parents continue to maintain good health.
Thank you LuAnn. My dad has really done a lot of reading the past week as we told him he needs to take charge of his health situation. We have had a slew of not so great doctors thus far so I’m relieved he has agreed to get some more opinions going forward. Thankfully he is in stage 1 yet it is bladder cancer meaning it is likely to come back. Will be a long journey but we are prepared. Thank you for your words of wisdom. I am finding from so many that I am not alone.
I am so sorry to hear about your father. I know what a shock it was for us to hear about Terry’s recurrence of prostate cancer. I believe that a positive attitude, being fit, and a serious nutrition plan make a huge difference. I went into every doctor visit with Terry with a long list of questions. You have to be your own advocate today when it comes to medical conditions. Your father and your family will be in my prayers.
Thanks LuAnn! You take care too. 🙂
Sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. Thinking of you. Stay strong x
Thanks. It has been awful. I’ve been through many hard times yet this one is different. I guess they all are in a sense. Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
Such a nice article with all those beautiful shots and inspirational quotes. Be strong and be postive. 🙂
Thank you so much. I’ve been strong and the results have been good. It will be a long journey yet I’m ready to face it.
Reblogged this on sueshan123.
Thanks so much for the reblog!
Lovely post. I am sorry to hear you are having a tough time but you have such an inspiring attitude.
I hope everything works out for you and your family. Sending positive energy.
Siobhan
http://overdueadventure.wordpress.com/
Thanks so much. We found out it is stage 1 so very treatable yet it can come back. The journey begins but I am relieved that the results were good. Thanks for stopping by and I just subscribed to your blog. It looks very interesting! 🙂 Nicole
What a lovely post!! Beautiful photos and lots of inspiration to start my day. Celeste 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it.