My Journey to a test

What do we do when our plans do not go the way we expected? To tell you the truth, I don't know. Each one of us has a unique way to deal with delays or sometimes heartbreaking shortcomings (I don't want to mention failures). Yesterday, my reaction was to put away the phone (or any other device) for hours. Yes, sometimes it can be too much.

A project Paul (my business partner) and I had been working on for years was 98% done. It was a matter of days before we were ready for launch. Then, the person who was helping us to work on it called us to let us know that she couldn't see the data anymore. Long story short, the online provider could not find our data. All was gone! Everything! We are talking about more than two years’ worth of work!

As we were "mourning" over our lost, we had to switch gears to work on another project we had been working for weeks. The deadline to submit the application (It was a grant application) was on Monday. We were almost there in terms of the work that needed to be done.

On Monday, I woke up very early to work on the final touches of the document. I was proud of myself as I was going through all the work done the last few weeks. Then, I received a call from my daughter's school asking me to come and pick her up. She was sick. I jumped into the car, rushed to the school to pick her up. She was sleeping on a couch, waiting for me, visibly weak. By the time we were back in the car, she fell asleep. Then, the car wouldn't start. I tried so many times but in vain. I had to call a mechanic. As I was looking at my watch, the 1pm deadline was approaching very fast. But I couldn't move as I was stuck in the car with my sleeping daughter waiting for the mechanic

By now, I am sure you have guessed what happened. I missed the deadline, and all the work we did for weeks was gone! I was so devastated that I didn't want to talk to anybody. How could I explain the two projects failing only days apart?

It took me 24 hours to digest everything and to remind me that in the big scheme of things, it is just a bump on the road (even if it hurts). I have also to remind me that it could be worse. These are just projects. Life goes on. There will be other opportunities.

One text helped me get back to a positive mood. The author is unknown, but the text is a masterpiece. Every time I read it, I get so inspired that I can quickly get back on my feet whenever I encounter a setback

Here it is:

EVERYTHING  HAPPENS FOR A REASON

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there…to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create who you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things. Make every day count. Appreciate everything that you possibly can, for you may never experience it again

Talk to people whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create you own life and then go out and live it.

If you take your eyes off your goals, all you see is obstacles

Moral of the story? Do you want to meet the deadline of your project? Just wake up early and your daughter will fall asleep in your car

Always a pleasure

Patrick

The Journeyman