This World Is Conspiring For Our Success

Have you ever met someone that no matter what you say to them, they just seem so negative? They complain about how life is just so unfair and it is either something or someone else's fault. It can't possibly be them or their attitude about life. And no matter what you say to be uplifting or encouraging, they refuse to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I seem to attract this type of person. Oh, they will laugh at one's self-deprecating jokes, and that is usually a cue to bolt (and fast too). Yes, this type of person loves to bask in their misery and in others shortcomings.

Recently, I mentioned to someone (just like this) who was having a so called 'bad day' that in spite of how bleak things may be for them, that I truly believe that the world is conspiring for our success. Their immediate response, "Well, I don't believe that!" I have to go on record that this 'someone' is a person that I have to deal with on a professional and personal basis nearly every day.

I truly believe that no matter what life may throw our way good or bad, these challenges are an opportunity for us to find out what we are really made of. Will we cave under pressure? Will we step up to the plate? Will we actually try something different? The old way isn't working, so let's do something that is not ordinary. Or will we bury our head in the sand and feel sorry for ourselves.

That is not to say that there are not some extreme hardships in life like losing a job, falling behind on your mortagage and on the brink of being homeless, a business going under, or losing a loved one. All of which require tremendous strength. All worthy of great compassion and each exceedingly difficult to deal with.

Everyone has pressure in their life and each of us deals with their's differently. But, we do have a choice about how we go about doing so.

Case in point: My husband and I have had a slow period in our movie-making business. Because of the possible actor's strike, our production has been delayed until next year. This should have been one of our most productive years in the industry. No one could have foreseen how the writer's strike followed by the SAG hold-out would have affected our business. But it did and it hit us hard. Earnest and I had to shift gears. One could say that we our down-on-our-luck.

So, to change things up, we started frequenting a coffee shop in the Burbank area to get out of the office and strategize about our business and how to keep things moving forward in spite of the delays.

The coffee morning meeting ritual has been going on for a while and we now know the early morning clientele of this establishment. Recently we met another Producer/Director who we have seen in the coffee shop and have on occassion said hello to in passing. We watched this individual from a distance and it was immediately made clear to us that he too is in the 'business' (the film industry). After chatting with this individual, it turns out he is in need of much help on a television production that starts up in two weeks. He has asked us to come on board and help him with his project.

Luck?

I'm not one to put much emphasis on luck. I don't believe in good or bad luck. There is just life and my hope is that we all live it fully. My husband and I could have chosen to stay in the office and feel sorry for ourselves and the whole "Woe is me," bit, and try to blame somebody but that is not who we are.

Like I mentioned earlier. I not only attract the 'negative folks', I attract the highly energetic types too. But, we do have to keep our eyes open and make ourselves available to the opportunities that are being presented.

The real question is are we paying attention or are we so self-absorbed in our own problems?

So, here is my challenge to all. Stop. Take a deep breath. Are you dealing with something really heavy? Does the the burden seem overwhelming? Good. You're probably right on track.