This past week was one of both -- victories and defeat. I failed miserably at some things and did well in others. I am most definitely my worst critic. I once read that you shouldn't judge yourself because when you do so, you are only hurting yourself. I am paraphrasing my hero, author Paulo Coelho.
So how do we pick ourselves up in those moments of defeat? Because I'm a survivor, I know exactly what to do, or at least what it is that works for me. I call the person that will listen with an open heart, give good advice and assure me that "this too shall pass." I call my grandmother.
She listened, shared her wisdom and then lifted my spirit. Before the phone call, I had found myself thinking negatively for a few minutes. My mind had strayed to somewhere not too familiar (as I try to stay positive most of the time), but she brought me back to center. She said that I had to think positively, I had to have faith and that there was nothing that I couldn't handle. I just needed to be reminded. Thank you, grandma.That was the gentle push that I needed to regain my focus. I also did things that made me happy. I read a script that I had been studying, I played some of my favorite songs loudly, I sang (off-key), I lit candles, I said a little prayer and I got a hug from my love, my son. These are all simple things that give me much enjoyment.Just like that, my negative energy changed and I was myself again. My problems did not disappear from one moment to the next, but my shift in attitude has allowed me to be prepared to face any challenges that may arise. Such is life but we can make things better by having a more positive and productive outlook towards things. With a clear mind, things are just easier to deal with.When something not so pleasant happens, I always think about what message the universe is trying to send me. I believe in messages and symbols and so forth. How exhausting, I know. Sometimes, things just happen and we have to push forward somehow. Our survival, well-being, our relationships with others and ourselves in general depend on it. Besides, victory is always so much sweeter after overcoming defeat. Push forward, my friends. Don't let minor or even major setbacks get the best of you.Priscilla Rice is an actor, poet, mother and aspiring samba dancer. She studied Broadcast Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin and has worked as a radio news/traffic reporter and assignment editor for various television stations. She currently works as an interpreter/translator. She is originally from Crystal City, TX and resides in Dallas with her son, Leo.
So how do we pick ourselves up in those moments of defeat? Because I'm a survivor, I know exactly what to do, or at least what it is that works for me. I call the person that will listen with an open heart, give good advice and assure me that "this too shall pass." I call my grandmother.
She listened, shared her wisdom and then lifted my spirit. Before the phone call, I had found myself thinking negatively for a few minutes. My mind had strayed to somewhere not too familiar (as I try to stay positive most of the time), but she brought me back to center. She said that I had to think positively, I had to have faith and that there was nothing that I couldn't handle. I just needed to be reminded. Thank you, grandma.
That was the gentle push that I needed to regain my focus. I also did things that made me happy. I read a script that I had been studying, I played some of my favorite songs loudly, I sang (off-key), I lit candles, I said a little prayer and I got a hug from my love, my son. These are all simple things that give me much enjoyment.
Just like that, my negative energy changed and I was myself again. My problems did not disappear from one moment to the next, but my shift in attitude has allowed me to be prepared to face any challenges that may arise. Such is life but we can make things better by having a more positive and productive outlook towards things. With a clear mind, things are just easier to deal with.
When something not so pleasant happens, I always think about what message the universe is trying to send me. I believe in messages and symbols and so forth. How exhausting, I know. Sometimes, things just happen and we have to push forward somehow. Our survival, well-being, our relationships with others and ourselves in general depend on it. Besides, victory is always so much sweeter after overcoming defeat. Push forward, my friends. Don't let minor or even major setbacks get the best of you.
Priscilla Rice is an actor, poet, mother and aspiring samba dancer. She studied Broadcast Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin and has worked as a radio news/traffic reporter and assignment editor for various television stations. She currently works as an interpreter/translator. She is originally from Crystal City, TX and resides in Dallas with her son, Leo.
