Brave New World

Lately I have been thinking about ways to keep a positive outlook on seemingly dismal situations. I frequently come up with strategies, musings and mantras (all of them used as distractions) to try to keep a positive mindset. Just when I thought that some things were impossible to stay optimistic about, I opened my film course textbook to the very first page. In bold letters just under the preface heading read: “Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens.” – Aldous Huxley. The timing of this quote was quite uncanny; I had recently given up on my theory that making the best of a situation was possible for anyone in any circumstance. I take this back, and with full force, would like to promote it once again.

You don’t have to be happy about the situation you are in, but you can harness the energy, time, thoughts and feelings connected to the emotions to do something great. To find this release is an internal exploration dependant entirely on the individual at hand…a sometimes crippling adventure leading to a better end.

In the end, it is what we do and how we react to the worst that defines the strength in ourselves; overcoming an intimidating obstacle will make many others tolerable and we will become stronger in all aspects of life. These emotionally and mentally enfeebling challenges push us to become who we need to be where we need to be.

So make the best with what you’re given and you will remember these experiences as triumphs for the rest of your life. Be brave when you find yourself in a new world.