Always believe in yourself (and have a backup plan)

Curve-billed Thrasher – Hazel Thornton

Do you believe in yourself? Always? Or do you sometimes lose faith?

If this post looks familiar, it’s because I pull it out and tweak it every few years. It makes me feel better to read it. Maybe it will help you too?

Life is hard. We all go through tough times personally, and lately it seems like the rest of the world is on the brink of disaster too.

Even if you generally have confidence, and strength, and a grateful, positive attitude…even if all of your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met (for the most part)…everyone gets weary and frustrated from time to time.

Are you trusting your own wings? Or are you just hoping the branch won't break?
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So, I was thinking about this favorite quote by Charlie Wardle:

A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because her trust is not on the branch, but on her own wings. Always believe in yourself.

And I had an idea.

The Accomplishment List

But first — have you ever done the exercise where you make a list of your past accomplishments to remind yourself how awesome you are — believe in yourself — and to lift your spirits when needed?

It’s a worthwhile exercise, if you haven’t! And it’s worth reviewing and updating your list, if you have.

Just sit quietly, with pen and paper, and think about your life, starting when you were young. What do you remember doing that you are proud of? Write it down. Have you ever won an award? Developed a skill? Write them down. Did you earn a degree or certificate? Solve a problem? Raise children? Write them down. What did you help someone with that really made a difference? Write it down. Can you list 10 things? 50? Keep the list handy so you can refer to it, and add to it.

The Survival List

Well — and here is my new idea — I decided to make a list of unfortunate events that I have overcome — survived — in my life:

physical health issues relationship breakups career downsizing and lost job opportunitiesdeath of a parent sudden and extremely expensive car and home repairshome burglaries deaths of friends and petsfinancial difficulties

Do these sound familiar to anyone else? I’m sure there’s more. I’ll add them to my private list as I think of them.

But — ack! Why on earth would I want to make such a depressing list?!?!

Because things happen. (Branches break.)

And thus far I’ve overcome them all. (I’ve learned to trust my own wings!)

I find that reassuring…don’t you?

As Vinnie Genovesi wrote:

On particularly rough days when I’m sure I can’t possibly endure, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad bays so far is 100% and that’s pretty good.

The Backup Plan

So, if — I mean when — something happens (branches break), I ask myself:

“OK, what am I going to do about it?”

Believe in yourself and trust your own wings.

I either know what to do, or I can find out what to do.

I might need to ask for help.

After a suitable period of feeling sorry for myself, and — unlike the parable of the drowning man — if it’s something within my control, I take action.

I clear my mental clutter and remind myself that I’m prepared for emergencies (the ones that I could foresee, at least). I give myself permission to try new things.

As the Girl Scouts taught me: Be prepared. I have backup plans for photos and files, natural disasters, and even for my loved ones.

Really, what’s to be afraid of? In some ways, hasn’t the worst already happened to most of us? And here we still are. Why Worry? Take Action!

(If you are still worried and fearful, perhaps it will help to consult The Worry Matrix.)

Remember: Always believe in yourself!

And please keep in mind:

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

(Quote origin debatable.)

What have YOU overcome that makes you realize you really have nothing to worry about, or to be afraid of?

Extra points if you didn’t just endure the circumstances, but overcame them by using (or developing) your survival skills and backup plans.

Please share with us in the comments.

Or, if you prefer, just make your own private list.

______________________________________________________Hazel Thornton is an author, genealogist, and retired home and office organizer.
Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy Go With the Flow! The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook Feel free to link directly to this post! Click here to ask about other uses.Copyright 2014-2023 by Hazel Thornton, Organized for Life and Beyond

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