Stay Positive


"In the midst of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."

- Alert Camus








Thursday, November 7, 2024

Remind yourself that with hope there is always a way through the pain.

 


Keep feelings of hopelessness at bay. 


“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope" 

M.L. King


“What gives me hope in these tenuous times is the knowledge that there is precedent for change and there’s precedent for hope. Hope has bred change again and again.” 

Ava DuVernay 


"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

 Desmond Tutu 


“You may not always have a comfortable life, and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once, but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have. Because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own." 

Mrs. Michelle Obama 


“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." 

Helen Keller 


"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly," 

Langston Hughes 


“The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope."

Barbara Kingsolver 




There is always reason for Hope.

 


There is always reason for Hope.  For instance, it was during his decade-long period of intense creativity and writing, often marred by solitude and illness, that Nietzsche produced his most significant works and developed the philosophical ideas he’s known for today. 

Remind yourself that with hope there is always a way through the pain.

Freidrich Nietzsche’s quote, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,” is a reflection of these ideas. The ‘why’ represents our purpose in life – our driving force, our will to power. The ‘how’ signifies the means, the path, the challenges, and the sufferings we encounter in our journey towards that purpose. According to Nietzsche, if one has a purpose (‘why’), they can endure almost any difficulty or hardship (‘how’) in achieving it. This sentiment echoes his belief in the redemptive, empowering aspect of suffering and its essential role in human life.


The quote reinforces Nietzsche’s philosophy that life is not about the pursuit of happiness or avoidance of pain but about the pursuit of a purpose, of a meaningful existence. And it is through this pursuit that one exercises their will to power.


Even in a modern context, Nietzsche’s quote holds considerable relevance. In our fast-paced, often chaotic world, finding a ‘why’ – a purpose or goal – can provide a sense of direction, a framework to make sense of the chaos and adversity we may encounter.

The quote is especially poignant when considering contemporary discussions about mental health and resilience. Psychologists emphasize the importance of having a purpose or goal to motivate us, to give us reasons to overcome difficulties, much in the same vein as Nietzsche’s assertion. Furthermore, the idea that hardship and suffering can foster growth and resilience is a key component of many modern psychological theories, such as post-traumatic growth.

Nietzsche’s philosophy, encapsulated in this quote, continues to impact modern philosophical thought, psychological theories, and popular culture. His ideas challenge us to seek our purpose and embrace the struggles we face in its pursuit, emphasizing that our ‘why’ can empower us to endure any ‘how’. This thought has endured and will continue to inspire people to seek meaning beyond mere happiness or comfort, shaping our understanding of human existence and resilience.


Read more:

https://quotesexplained.com/he-who-has-a-why-to-live-can-bear-almost-any-how/



Agency Is the Highest Level of Personal Competence

   


 
Agency Is the Highest Level of Personal Competence

Whatever your level, you can hold steady, decline, or grow.

Feeling that you have agency is nice. But feeling agentic falls far short of exercising agency—thinking and behaving competently and making real progress toward your desired goals.

To exercise agency is to acquire significant control over your outcomes in life’s various arenas, including school, work, sports, physical health, and psychological well-being.


The Four Pillars of Personal Agency

Full-fledged agency requires believing you can achieve your goal and engaging in the following activities:

1. Forethought: deciding to take on a challenge, thinking ahead, setting goals, and making plans.
2. Implementation: taking first steps, enacting plans, and persisting toward success.

3. Self-management: taking care of yourself, dealing with emotions and stress, and maintaining good health to sustain your efforts.

4. Learning and adapting: monitoring progress, rethinking strategies and tactics, and making effective adjustments.

Thoughtfully executing all four pillars of agency contributes to your personal and professional growth while helping you perform over time. 
Agency is thus a vital source of power, a capability, a competence that can contribute to your overall well-being.
 

Read more:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/getting-proactive/202203/agency-is-the-highest-level-personal-competence?msockid=1dd14bd34e546e2c051d5a524ff76f4f