virgin islands scene

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
-- Sir John Lubbock
 

 

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Learn from frustration

In every frustration there is a powerful message. Frustration tells you, in no uncertain terms, that something is not as good as it could possibly be.

There’s a reason for every frustration. And when you choose to be brutally honest with yourself, there’s also a positive and potentially life-changing response.

The best response to frustration is not to fight it or resent it or let it break you down, but to learn from it. Perhaps frustration is attempting to convince you of the need to speak out against injustice, or pointing out changes that you know you must make in your own behavior.

Frustration may very well be telling you that what you’re doing at the moment is not at all in line with your most deeply held values. Frustration may be your way of telling yourself that you need to more fully prepare for life’s various challenges.

It could be that frustration is helping you to realize that there must be a more effective, more efficient, more compassionate, or more sensible way to do some particular thing. Many great achievements and advances start out as frustrations.

Feel the frustration, and then listen very carefully. For that frustration is giving you some priceless advice.

— Ralph Marston

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