When everything goes wrong
IT’S THE beginning of February 2024. Sure, I do my tasks every day. Writing, teaching, and so on. I just don’t like consuming the news anymore. It’s just depressing. Are there really positive and negative news? I learned during my studies and training: Only a negative headline makes a good headline. Of course, only economic things were in the background - or maybe in the foreground? A journalist, a columnist and a writer for almost 60 years now. I lie in bed at night and think back to the time when I “started” writing. Sure, “everything was different back t hen”…. Sure, the world was in a different situation. Sure, wars always happened somewhere and at some point. Problems as well. B u t g u y s , w h a t i s t h e wo r l d l i k e r i g h t n o w ? Somehow each of us tries to make the best of everything. Somehow. You keep your ears, eyes and especially your mouth closed. But will this make the world better? I often sit on my porch. The rain is pouring down. Somehow it has gotten colder in the Philippines too. Not within my family i n t he Philippines. Neither do many neighbors here i n Davao. But otherwise? Wow. In any case, I feel even more comfortable here in the Philippines. Well, and the first people are already asking: why? Well, I’ve been living here for 26 years now and I see what’s happening around me in the world. Well, on the whole, I feel well protected here in the lap of my family. In Davao. In the Philippines. One thing, if not the most important thing: music. Music of all kinds. Music keeps me uplifted. Music gives me strength. Music keeps me going! I still remember my time as a radio presenter and my years of broadcasts. Classical music from the last 400 years or so. But also music from the 50s, 60s and 70s of my youth. My youth was not easy. But, I “pushed through”. The music of all time has always accompanied and strengthened me. I have published a lot about music. Also on the radio. My listeners thanked me again with their feedback. Music, no matter what direction, can build bridges between two completely different worlds. Write and publish as well. I am grateful that so many publishers, magazines and newspapers agree.
So are all of us. You wake up in the morning and open your eyes. One mishap follows the other. And then the radio plays Jason Collett too: “When everything goes wrong”. Accept it, stay calm, and most important, stay motivated during these tough times. Maybe easier said than done. I also had to learn it first and to pull myself up on it every time. Of course, sometimes life’s rough patches feel like they’re going to last forever. Keep in mind: whether you’re dealing with work- related issues, family problems, or stressful situations, very few problems last for a lifetime. So remind yourself, that things won’t be this bad forever. When things are going wrong, it’s hard to recognize what is going right. It’s easy to screen out the good things and only focus on the bad things. Remind yourself that some things are going right. Purposely look for the positive, even if it is something very small. One of the most important things to remember is that you have some control of the situation. Even if you aren’t in complete control of the situation, one thing you can always control is your attitude and reaction. Focus on managing what is within your control. Asking for help can be hard sometimes. I tried to avoid it as long as I could. Big mistake. Asking for help is one of the best ways to deal with tough situations. Tell people what you need specifically if they offer to help. Don’t be afraid to call on friends and family and ask them for help, whether you need emotional support or practical help. The present flood victims in Germany and its surroundings are so very thankful for this. A lack of confidence in handling tough times can add to stress. It happened to me, when Covid- 19 changed my life and my business. One of the best things to remember is that you can handle tough situations. Even though you might feel angry, hurt, disappointed, or sad, it won’t kill you. You can get through it. No matter how bad a situation is, it’s almost certain that something good will come out of it. At the very least, it’s likely that you will learn a life lesson. Perhaps you learn not to repeat the same mistake in the future or maybe you move on from a bad situation and find something better. Look for the one good thing that can result when bad things happen. Remember this: one of the things to remember when you’re facing difficulties, is that you’ve handled problems in the past. Don’t overlook past difficulties t hat you’ve dealt with successfully. Remind yourself of all the past problems you’ve overcome and you’ll
gain confidence in dealing with the current issues. Besides everything: think about yourself too. When everything seems to be going wrong, take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, get some exercise, eat healthy, and spend some time doing leisure activities. When you’re taking better care of yourself you’ll be better equipped to deal with your problems.
Everything is temporary, even everything which goes wrong. Happiness is a result of your approach to life, not what happens to you.
Sometimes we need to take one step, then another. Even if they’re just baby steps, keep moving. Rather than focusing on the worst case, think instead of what else is possible. Look for the lesson. Challenging situations can often teach us what we have left to learn. Keep a positive attitude by remaining focused on solutions, skills, and strengths. Start small. Spend time with the people who support you.
Maybe, together with the light at the end of the tunnel: choose one big goal to work on in order to make a lasting change.
“If anything can go wrong, it will...” This tongue- in- cheek principle, known as Murphy’s Law, is cited by economists, sports teams, and big politicians. Human nature s omehow guarantees that nothing turns out quite the way it’s supposed to.
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