In the wake of everything that has happened over the past year, hurricanes, flooding, disaster fires, racism, the black lives matter movement, global pandemic, presidency campaigns, winter storms, etc., mental health can become a challenge. Not only this but the tragic loss of loved ones can take an even greater toll on individuals and their families.

As I have sat back and watched the world unfold, from my very eyes, sadness shadows the background from the reflection of so many lost souls. I’m not just talking ‘loss’ from a physical standpoint, but from an emotional and financial point of view as well. Many can take such traumatic experiences as an excuse to just throw in the towel and cut their losses. And guess what, with all that has happened to you, you have every right to feel as you do. However, there is always a bright side to every dark side. It’s all in your perspective and approach to the hand that you have been dealt.

A knockdown doesn’t have to be a defeat. Instead, it can be an opportunity to reflect and regroup. After all, you are still here on earth breathing, so you might as well develop a plan of action that will be both productive and rewarding, while you are still here. Below are a few simple tips/steps that can help get you started:

1. Reflect briefly (don’t stay down too long, someone may take your spot). Confront the pain, hurt, anger, bitterness, jealousy, grief, or whatever has a tight grip on you; preventing you from moving forward
2. Take a stand (not against someone else, but yourself). You are your BIGGEST defeat. The struggles of life are NOT your component. You are. The fight is against yourself! It’s time to win!
3. Stay the course (remain focused, avoid the distractions). You will get hit, pushed, walked over, knocked down from time to time. It’s like one of my favorites from Rocky Balboa/Creed movie, “It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”