Life doesn’t always go according to plan. There are times when we feel in control, positive and moving forward, and other times when simply getting through the day feels like an achievement.
We all experience periods when we are coping rather than thriving — and sometimes coping is exactly what we need to do. But when coping starts to become our normal way of living, perhaps it is time to stop and ask ourselves whether there are choices we could make that might help us move forward differently.
Sometimes life becomes about simply getting through.
We manage what is in front of us, deal with the demands on our time and energy, and keep going. Sometimes, coping is enough. But there are also times when it is worth asking ourselves:
Am I simply coping — or am I thriving?
We often have more choices than we give ourselves credit for. We may not be able to change everything around us, but we can consider what we could do differently. What can we influence? What might we need to accept, and what could we change?
Part of thriving is knowing what matters to us. When we understand our values, we can recognise where we are living by them — and perhaps, more importantly, where we are not.
It can also help to have people we admire. A role model does not have to be famous or extraordinary. It might simply be someone whose qualities, attitude or way of living give us something to aspire to.
And there is another side to role modelling:
What are we modelling for others?
Our choices, behaviours and attitudes can influence the people around us. While we are finding our own way, we may also be helping someone else find theirs.
So perhaps this month’s First Wednesday Wake-Up question is:
What could you do differently — not just to cope with life, but to thrive in it?
Know what you value. Notice the choices available to you. Find people who inspire you and consider what you may be modelling for others. Even when we cannot choose everything that happens around us, we can often choose more about our way forward than we think.
Thriving doesn’t mean that everything in our lives has to be perfect, nor does it mean we won’t experience challenges, setbacks or difficult periods. It is about recognising what we can influence, understanding what really matters to us, and making conscious choices about how we move forward.
Sometimes the difference between coping and thriving begins with one small change — a different decision, a new boundary, asking for help, letting go of something we cannot control, or simply choosing to do more of what gives us purpose and energy.
So, as you head into October, perhaps ask yourself: Am I simply coping, or am I thriving? And if I’m only coping right now, what is one choice I could make that might begin to change that?
We may not always get to choose what happens to us, but we can often choose what we do next.
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