What are the chances chance will be tipping in your favor, or is chance always 50:50? Is it enough to do all you can to position yourself for positive experiences, or do you have to take care to minimize chances for negative situations at the same time? Is that the same thing? I’m tempted to say there’s no such thing as “last chance”, unless you talk about submission deadlines, and even those get extended. What do you think? Does chance exist even if you believe your circumstances are pre-determined?
If you’re one of the many who’ve recently lost their jobs, their keys, their minds, an important client, a relationship, or been diagnosed with a disease – what are the chances of you getting sick of people telling you to look on the bright side?
What would you rather they said? In times of struggle, do you prefer commiseration (i.e. someone to support you in feeling bad about this unfair thing that happened), consideration (i.e. be left alone), or motivation (in the form of a swift kick up the bottom, i.e. “tough love”)? Ever thought about why you’re wired that way?
Whichever your coping mechanism, I hope a) that it’s working for you, and b) that you know you have a choice in how to respond to whatever your current situation may be. If the silver lining remains stubbornly elusive, maybe an hour of screaming to friends over wine and chocolate is just the ticket. Try some new strategies, who knows, they might take your mind off the unfair thing and towards a solution on how to deal with it.
In any case, know this: you’re not alone. I’m not saying you’re not special or worthy of attention, because of course you are. We all complain on different levels, what’s a nuisance to one is the end of the world to another. I just want you to know that this, too, shall pass. However scared you may be of not finding another decent apartment, or job, or wife, or lipstick now that your old one is gone, the sooner you make peace with the fact that you indeed may not, the more open you will be open to what is real.
Change is real. It’s chaotic and frustrating and at one point or another all of us are flying by the seats of our pants trying not to spin uncontrollably into the orbit. The best you can do is all you can do.
Get it?
Quick notes:
Want to improve your chances at the next job interview? Learn to speak confidently! My Toastmasters club will soon hold a new membership open-day event, stay tuned for details.
What’s a great way to get involved in your local community? The library! You’ll get free access to any book, audio book, DVD or research material you’ll ever want, without having to pay (unless you’re late) or having to find a place for it on your bulging shelves! Even better, donate the books that make your shelves bulge, you’ll de-clutter, open up space for new things and experiences to enter your home, and help someone else out at the same time. Doesn’t get much better than this, win-win all round.
Today’s the LAST DAY OF EARLY-BIRD FIGT CONFERENCE REGISTRATION! Reserve your space now and enjoy three days of expat info, networking, and experience-exchange galore.
Til next time, have a good one!
Photo: my own. Chances of taking a decent picture without dice rolling off the table and scattering all over the floor: practically nil. 
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