Being Happy Can be The Hardest Part of Living

Life is unbelievably difficult. We all struggle with self confidence.

We struggle hard to make the grade. And yet, fall short. Finding our footing can take a long time. 

For most of my life I attempted in vain to make something meaningful of myself. I failed to keep a job or relationship. My family and friends would say I was disaster prone. One church member proclaimed, “If Jim Woods didn’t have bad luck he wouldn’t have any luck at all.” What he failed to understand was, I didn’t need luck ……. I needed a friend. 

Keeping our self image whole as we caution our children is hard in the face of unrelenting pressures to be successful in a way that may not coincide with our internal beliefs. 

The key to my self image at a time when it seemed I had little was: 

Refusing to define myself in a mold created by circumstances or anyone else.

Not giving in to challenges.

Persistence

Recognizing I had a story I alone must tell

Using my challenges to inspire others.

Everyone has greatness in them

Your time table is different.

We are unique.

Gifts must be shared to be appreciated.

Never to dismiss a thought as a possibility with “I can’t do that.”   

I began to see thoughts as God’s way of answering my prayers. Moving confidently in a very different place mentally by moving one foot in front of the other until one day I was at my destination. The ability to keep going became causal to my personal and professional life despite obstacles. 

When I see how others fail because they second guess their worth it hurts me.  I know if they were speaking to their children their advice would be: 

“Try a different way. You can do it.” “I believe in you.” 

One of my favorite quotes when speaking is by Theodore Herzl, “If you will it, it is no dream.” Jim