Ups and Downs... who can relate?

grimmace19 · July 2011

So, I don't want to be a downer but a lot of you guys here mean a lot to me in one way or another and I haven't been very active lately and wanted to share what's been going on with me and see who has advice or guidance for me...

Over the last few months I have seen my father nearly die twice, my wife go through surgery on her throat, my cat died, been transferred to a different store in my job, worked with 3 different managers, been harassed by my current manager (fat jokes every day at me), hit a deer with my car, and countless other little things...

However, yesterday I had an epiphany... even though things have somewhat gone to crap, my father is still alive and doing better, my wife has recovered from her operation and is doing a lot better, the house is staying cleaner without the cat, my new boss has calmed down (after I got HR involved), my car can be fixed and so on...

So in the spirit of those things, I have been trying to remain more positive, look at things at a different angle and not let myself get so stressed out about everything... I think yesterday was my turning point. I kept my cool all day and at lunch I bought a $3 scratch off ticket and won $200 bucks from it that will keep my smiling for the next week or two.

Is karma finally repaying me for the last few months or is it just a coincidence? Anybody else out there feeling the same way about turning a corner in their lives? I feel great tonight especially because this weekend I am seeing my favorite band (O.A.R.) at red rocks and the fox theater in boulder plus going on a 22 mile rafting trip on Sunday.

As I said earlier, any guidance or advice would be great but mostly just wanted to vent a bit and help myself clear my own head.

Dennis Gardner · July 2011

It is truly how we choose to look at/process things that happens to us that dictates our moods. You have already learned that though without true loss or pain. You are half way there! I'm glad you've turned that corner!

Another thought, you live in a beautiful part of our country and were over 20 degrees under our high of 108 today. Just be thankful, we've seen over 30 days in a row of 100+ heat with no end in sight. We are as brown as winter here on the high plains...I've been craving the mountains all summer.

20hz · July 2011

the way I look at the bad things that happen is its a test to see who is stronger , for example ..
dont let some fat joke ruin your day prove you are stronger and smarter and just smile .
I realize its hard to take those actions with the other horrible things that happened but be strong and supportive of others .

decal · July 2011

Have you thought about seeking professional help?

decal · July 2011

Keiko wrote: »

Have you?

Life hands us lemons from time to time, grim. When it does, make lemonade. You're doing well. Hang in there, bro.

As a matter of fact, I have. That's why I asked. What's your point?
BTW, I thought I was on your "list". Kindly put me back on it,thanks.

cfrizz · July 2011

Hang in there Grim, as you are finding out things do/will get better.

tonyb · July 2011

It's called the rollercoaster of life, you'll always have peaks and valleys Grim. It's how we deal with the valleys that determines how fast we get to the next peak.

Chin up bro, things always get better.

gdb · July 2011

Excrement occurs ! Too bad you didn't hit the weeper of the house Boehner with your car! Seriously though, hang in there !

codyc1ark · July 2011

grimmace19 wrote: »

I feel great tonight especially because this weekend I am seeing my favorite band (O.A.R.) at red rocks and the fox theater in boulder plus going on a 22 mile rafting trip on Sunday.

Hang in there, we all go through down periods. I'm jealous about your rafting trip, that is a looong strech of water to be doing in one day, we did roughly 21 miles on the river, and it took us three days!

Good luck, things are looking on the up for you!

-Cody

Joe08867 · July 2011

I can relate to alot of this. I had a ton of bad crap happen in 2000 after I got married. That was the good thing. Everything else sucked.

A month later my Mom died from Cancer, and a month after that my Father in-law died from cancer. And to top it all off three months later I was having multiple re-sections surgery for my Crohn's disease. I must admit it is hard to stay positive when things like this happen. And to say I was depressed or down would be an understatement.

I did learn how much my wife loves and supports me, how to man up and tell the Dr's no I need help even when they think you are addicted to pain meds. Thats a whole other story. And also learned how strong I can be. I was very sick when my mom passed and I held strong for my family. My dad is a simple guy and I was able to give him the shoulder to cry on for once. It doesn't happen often that the son supports the dad but when it does it changes your perspective on life. We are closer than we ever were when I was young. My mom was the glue for the family. We had to learn how to be that for ourselves.

So looking at it now all I can say is what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I think I would be hard pressed to have a worse year than that again. But also hard pressed to create stronger bonds than we have now.

So the moral of the story is try to look at the good of what has happened. I am sure you were close to your dad before he almost died, Twice, but now look at you guys. You probably cherish every second together. I am sure it is the same for you and your wife. The Cat thing sucks but that happens with animals, they become a part of our lives. But there again it just proves you have the ability to Love something.

As far as the Job goes, That sucks, being harassed on any level especially a superior is uncool and should not be tolerated. I say carry a tape recorder, ask him to stop on tape and then record the outcome of that conversation. I know it sucks to have to ask but in the long run he is doing wrong by you.

Timothy Smith · July 2011

Hang in there man.

The human mind is an amazing thing.

Most of us can look at our current situation and either:

1) Convince ourselves that in the balance, and in the long run, we are pretty lucky to be alive and living in this country with family, friends, a job, some fun hobbies and interests etc.

or

2) We can take the exact same set of facts and convince ourselves we are long suffering SOB's who can't catch a break.

I know which of those two attitudes I would like to have (even when sometimes it is not easy).

It sounds like you have a lot of crap on your plate, but seeing the way you can explain it without anger and blaming other, and reach out to friends on CP (many of us probably going thru similar lows) makes me think you are going to come out of this a winner on balance.

Hang in there man!

Jstas · July 2011

S@#t happens, dude. Simple as that. Doesn't matter what happens, just matters how you deal with it. That's what separates the men from the boys. Sometimes things are going to happen that you just can't control. The only thing you can control is your reaction to it.

Seems like you're in good shape to me. Dad's still around, wife is still around, you're still employed. The car can be fixed, that's what insurance is for and hey, if you managed to grab the carcass, you'll eat good for a while too! All that and you won the freakin' lottery! Aside from your cat dying, looks like stuff is coming up roses for you!

Karma, schmarma dude. Life is what you make it.

Sorry your cat died.

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EndersShadow · July 2011

I have gone through a lot since getting married in August of last year, 2 1 week hospital stays, a stomach surgery and 1 month recovery and some other things I dont really want to talk about on the forum.

Point is, we all go through ups and downs. Its how you respond to adversity that shows your character as a person. Some take it lying down and ask for massive amounts of sympathy, others just accept and move on.

Am going to go religious for a few seconds and post a couple bible verses I look at when I am not doing so well:

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. (Psalm 71:20)

God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while. (I Peter 5.-10)

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Will say a prayer for your continued mental and physical strenght tonight

megasat16 · July 2011

Sorry to hear your recent ups and downs and I hope things are looking up for you.

I also have ups and downs many times a month. It's just the nature for all of us. But when you look at things from a bright side, things do get a bit better sooner or later.

Good Luck!

gudnoyez · July 2011

It all happens at once, bad luck that is, the best thing about that is that you can get through it all at once, and recover all at once hang in there, sounds like the worst has passed.

Amherst · July 2011

Life is full of curves, so my favorite saying: S@#t Happens!

Just walk away with a smile and let it decay on it's own.

Tony M · July 2011

It sounds like your troubles are passing.

Keep your head up like your doing!

When I get down I've always thought of people that I've meet in my life that have it alot worse than me. Alot worse. Blind, paralized, or small brained etc.

I've had a great life compared to millions of others and I've had a TON of crap dumped on my shoulders. I feel I've dealt with more than 10 people need to go through in 10 lives BUT.... there's always somebody worse off...ALWAYS.

Toolfan66 · July 2011

Keep your head up Nick, My life has been that way as well my good man..

george daniel · July 2011

and remember,,it's all in the attitude

TECHNOKID · July 2011

george daniel wrote: »

and remember,,it's all in the attitude

''Your attitude almost always determine your altitude!''. grimmace19, good for you to take the time to vent, let the crap go out and make room for the good things that are coming at you. When you hit the bottom, see the positive, realize the only way you can go now is up!

grimmace19 · July 2011

Thanks everyone for the input, feedback, and support. I hope everyone has as good of a weekend as I am about to embark on... 2 concerts of my favorite band and the rafting trip should be quite amazing.

TECHNOKID · July 2011

grimmace19 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the input, feedback, and support. I hope everyone has as good of a weekend as I am about to embark on... 2 concerts of my favorite band and the rafting trip should be quite amazing.

Enjoy the GOOD that is right in your face NOW! You have to live the present moment (good or bad) as once it is gone, it will not come back.

treitz3 · July 2011

You haven't hit rock bottom until you are six feet down in the dirt. Knowing that? Wake up everyday, clap your hands and say out loud, "Today is gonna be a great day!".....for if you are still alive, you can still enjoy it. No matter what it presents to you.

inspiredsports · July 2011

grimmace19, Hang in there! It sounds like you've already figured it out.

Everything always seems to be amplified to the negative "in the moment", but when you look back on it and put it in the proper perspective (as you have and a Keiko pointed out), you can turn the lemons into lemonade!

fatchowmein · July 2011

Crap happens. It just happens to be your turn. Now, it's someone else's turn.

mrbigbluelight · July 2011

Grimmace, it's all good if you let it. Simple as that.

Don't have to make it good, just let it.

Ups and Downs... who can relate?

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