Setbacks are part of the journey in life. While some of us experience more than we can cope with, others may experience one or two in their lifetime. We all experience setbacks, whether from health, finances, relationships, or employment. Nonetheless, what we learn from those setbacks prepares us and channels our growth. Setbacks can have a profound impact on your life, as they impede your progress and well-being. Sometimes, it brings about overwhelming stress and anxiety for some; individuals’ coping mechanisms can vary. A setback can help you reassess your life and make the appropriate adjustments to navigate a better path in life. Each of us has different coping mechanisms to deal with life adjustments; it is always important to keep your best interests in mind as you consider everything. At any crucial point in life, it is always up to you to decide on the lessons gained and the best way to move forward. Sometimes setbacks can forever change a person, although not necessarily, considering the change may be for the better. A setback can be a positive turning point in a person's life. If so, take it all in and breathe a sigh of relief, and you may be pleasantly surprised at how the next chapter of life will unfold.

Simplicity is key to success in all aspects of life. The sad reality is that we live in a world where a perfect physical appearance depicts acceptable standards of beauty, and living above our means is becoming a norm. It is becoming more evident that appearances matter more than character and inner beauty, and the media showcases acceptable appearances that society should follow. At times it looks like people are creating lifestyles that are misleading. I do believe that appropriate, acceptable appearances do matter, especially for work, school, and special occasions. These days, society has taken extreme measures to look a certain way, to live beyond their means, and to display pseudo behaviors only to pretend. There are even those who go into debt to fulfill a certain lifestyle or live a life under a false persona. While in the real world, the reality is far from that, people are living in poverty, trying their best every day to fulfill their basic needs. There are parts of our world where appearances are not a priority since most people can not live a lifestyle that some parts of today's society are accustomed to. Of course, they wish for a better life. Life is not fair. Yet somehow, they are happier and content with their lives. Compared to those who have everything in life, they are still happy or satisfied with what they have. Simplicity is a true reflection of beauty; everything else is merely a facade.

We all experience grief and loss at some point in life. Life challenges regarding the death of a loved one, family, friends, and including our pets. We also grieve after divorce, breakups, and even the loss of friendships. It is difficult to cope with loss, especially when death is sudden and unexpected. Whether it could be relationships and experiences, grief creates multiple challenges and can affect a person's sense of well-being and normalcy, including the loss of any connection. The impact that grief and loss have varies from person to person. When death comes, we grieve the loss of the loved one. It is best to celebrate the life of the person by cherishing the memories you have of them. When relationships break down, it may be difficult to move on. It is best to put yourself first above anything else, as your future depends on it. Our emotional response to grief and loss is only natural, and each and every one of us goes through that. How we respond to the situation will depend on our individual coping mechanisms.  As humans, we experience a wide range of emotions, and we look to various ineffective solutions only to drown ourselves in pain. Sometimes, when individuals are overwhelmed, they resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, which in turn cause more harm to themselves. Coping and healing will occur if you take the appropriate steps to help yourself become emotionally stronger.

Whether it is courage under fire or courage over fire, we all have courage within us. It can be seen in adults or children coping with illness or disability, a soldier defending their country, police and firefighters/paramedics going into harm's way, the poor and homeless, and everyone else overcoming adversities. The journey of life is filled with obstacles, and courage can help you accomplish the impossible at times. We learn from the courage shown by so many; the lessons are invaluable. We sometimes find courage in our darkest moments through trauma and unforeseen adversities. When we muster up the courage, it feels like a burst of energy soaring through our body. It is like an impenetrable armor that protects and fights on behalf of us. Our ability to succeed is not left solely to us but to all those who love and support us as well. Courage defines us, our ability to sustain and fight the battles of life. The will to persevere enables hope to thrive beyond expectations and can surprise us all. Whether you dare to do right by others or have the courage to find the strength to fight your battles. All that matters is that you are capable of doing the unexpected,  even if you least expect it, and it is because you are courageous. We are sometimes surprised by our individual strengths regardless of what we face in life. Find the courage within, and you may be pleasantly surprised by it. You will no doubt learn more about yourself, your abilities, and your own resilience.

Oftentimes, we are so caught up with the mundane things in life that we do not stop and think about the well-being of ourselves and the people we love. Navigating life and all the challenges you may face can be overwhelming for sure. Giving up is not an option. Keep moving forward with gusto and perseverance. Life is filled with obstacles and challenges, and how you overcome and cope with them determines your journey and the path you take in life. It is important to have faith in yourself and your individual abilities. Please do not take life for granted. As someone who faced death and lived to talk about it, I can say that life is so precious, and we are all here for a flash in time. I realized this only after I had my near-death experience when my heart stopped, a few times. I am grateful to the doctors for saving my life and giving me a second chance at life. Although the overall experience of impending death, and the uncertainty that came with it scared me, it also allowed me to reevaluate all aspects of my life. There comes a time in life when you start to think about how much life has changed. You wonder if you would have done something different, and maybe your life would be better or a little different. We all wish that life could be better, it is up to us to decide how much better we would like it to be. It is important to be realistic with whatever plans and goals we set for ourselves. No matter how much you wish for a better life, it comes down to the choices you make that ultimately direct the path you take.

We may find ourselves hopeless at times and wonder whether we can be hopeful again. Try not to lose hope because hope is what is keeping you alive, as well as your vital organs and sustenance. Each and every one of us wants to be or even aspires to be hopeful. When you assess all the obstacles and challenges you may face, you sometimes wonder if there is any hope at all. It is only natural that you question the circumstances you are faced with, but it is better to review, reflect, and never wallow about those challenges. Difficult times are no doubt challenging, despite all you endure. Consider this period as a test of your will and endurance to survive. During these grim times, being hopeful can effectively surprise you. Hope gives us something to look forward to, like a new adventure, job, business, good health, meeting someone special, or even a new friend. I have been tested on so many levels; at times, I even felt hopeless. Regardless of what you face in life, overcoming the obstacles and challenges that you may face defines us, and sets us apart from others. Spreading hope by caring and sharing will no doubt help others; at the same time, it will have a profound impact on yourself and those around you. Keep love and hope present in your lives, and you will no doubt find it most rewarding and fulfilling. Hope can be contagious, so why not? By way of catharsis, even the doubtful are discovering surprises.

We all experience pain at some point in our lives, whether it be physical pain or emotional pain. How you cope with pain enables you to manage the stress and anxiety that it brings. Some of us manage pain by developing both healthy and not-so-healthy coping mechanisms. Physical and emotional pain are equally harmful, and it can affect you on multiple levels of your life. Do not let anyone else tell you otherwise. Pain can ruin your day or even your week, and you sometimes feel helpless. I tried not to let pain control me, even though it felt like it controlled all the aspects of my life. Trying to understand one’s suffering can feel somewhat debilitating at times. Your individual experiences with pain can vary from person to person. You can take the right steps to find your ability to control your experiences and, on your terms, find the best ways to help alleviate your pain. It is not easy coping with pain, especially when you are faced with comorbid health issues. It will feel like a constant balancing act, as you try your best to cope with everything that is happening to you. For those individuals suffering from depression, the uncertainty may cause frustration and despair. I know it is no easy task, but try to remain sane, even if you are in pain. If you are not in pain, just be glad you got to live again.

When we are determined to accomplish our goals in life, we must channel a path of hard work and grit, which will catapult our determination to achieve success. Along that journey, you will have to overcome many challenges and barriers that can impede your progress. It is important to be strong and steadfast and stand up for yourself and against your naysayers by proving them wrong. Part of success is being decisive and resolute in your endeavors, helping achieve your goals regardless of any limitations you may face. Once you give up, your mindset negatively changes, and you begin to lose focus on what you set out to achieve. When you have a positive mindset and an optimistic outlook, your determination works in your favor. Then it enables you to work towards your goals.  Trying to accomplish anything can be difficult, since you may face many obstacles and challenges that can prevent you from achieving anything. I have learned that it is profoundly helpful that you set realistic, attainable goals and work towards accomplishing them. When you set realistic, attainable goals, it gives purpose and direction to have an incentive to work towards. A determined person is driven by the possibilities of success and the accomplishment of their goals. My mentor reminded me that it takes time and effort. This holds true if you are willing to invest in yourself.

Have you experienced hopelessness at some point in life? A feeling of despair, a simple lack of hope for your future. Many people go through this at some point in their life. Some of us tackle it with ease, while others struggle to cope with stress and anxiety. Whether it is caused by loss, tragedy, failure, illness, relationship breakdowns, or job loss, most of these events are not in our control, nor do we have a magic wand to wish them away.  We have to cope as best we can and live through it. Outcomes might vary from person to person, especially regarding steps taken to remedy their individual circumstances. Even though there are both healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms to help alleviate your hopelessness,  the latter will no doubt complicate matters and worsen your grief. At times, you may feel that you are fighting an ongoing battle with yourself and the world. Once you become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety, depression can eventually settle in and further complicate your goals for feeling better. Nonetheless, you can still win the battle and become hopeful again. Trying your best to remain hopeful, regardless of how grim your situation may be, is vital for your inner sanctity. The obstacles and challenges you face may be monstrous and can make you feel helpless, leading to hopelessness. It is within your power to rectify and remedy the situation, so you can focus your attention on achieving the best outcome for yourself. I always believe that giving up is not an option, it has helped me fight my battles like an avenger is within me.

We all experience stress and anxiety, some more than others. When left untreated, a person can get overwhelmed by their symptoms, which eventually leads to depression. Stress and anxiety can creep up on you when you least expect it. The subtle frustrations of daily tasks can cause frustration and anger. We all experience it from time to time, and the impact it has on personal well-being may not necessarily be felt immediately. Gradually, your behavior will change, and eventually, it will impact your relationships with family and friends. Stress and anxiety have a detrimental impact on family and friends and can be overwhelming while trying to understand and comprehend how this is possible or why a family member or friend does that. The pain of mental illnesses often impedes the sanity of those affected, and their extended family and friends. The physiological and psychological impact of stress and anxiety can have a detrimental effect on overall health when left untreated. Stress and anxiety are a constant; keeping them at bay is sometimes overwhelming and makes eventual depression difficult to escape. As a society, we are flawed in so many ways, yet we can rise to the occasion when needed. It takes educating and informing oneself about the obstacles and challenges mental health issues create. Ignoring the problems does not necessarily get rid of the problem, and ignorance only hides the truth that we fail to accept.

A strong support system is vital for everyone, especially when you suffer from chronic illness and disability. Your support system is your medical team, family, friends, and mentors.  The right people at the right moment can make a huge difference in a person's life. Never underestimate the role individuals play as part of your support system. Everyone needs guidance and direction, wisdom and hope, encouragement and motivation, empathy and understanding, love and support. They can be a pillar of strength when you need it the most, and sometimes when you least expect it. We all need the support of loved ones, and sometimes, when you are sick, it can give the lift and encouragement you need to persevere. Simple words of encouragement can turn a bad day into a good day. A strong support system is like battle armor; it helps you get through the battles you face. Most people never realize the benefits of support because they may have never needed it. Unlike those who face overwhelming challenges due to health and disability,  their support system is the cheering squad, well-wishers, and uplifters. Even if you are not sick, a support system proves beneficial, especially on days when you feel down and lost. Consider your support system, your encouragers, and your pillars that give you the boost when you need it the most.

At the beginning of each new year, society continues the recycling of New Year's resolutions. People are entrapped by marketing ploys to help you get in shape, take on new projects, or even coerced into spending more than you have. In some instances, it leads to failed attempts to accomplish anything tangible. Society's gullible minions fall for it every year. Some people may have reasonable successes, while others revert to a lifestyle that is their comfort zone. Change is never easy, especially if you lack the motivation or the determination to succeed. Whether it's weight loss, going back to school, starting a business, or quitting a bad habit. Trying to accomplish anything can be difficult, since you may face many obstacles and challenges that can prevent you from achieving anything. I have learned that it is profoundly helpful that you set realistic, attainable goals and work towards accomplishing them. Everything takes time and effort, and it does not happen in a short period. It takes hard work, strong unwavering support, and determination to achieve your goals. Seek help and guidance when you need it, do your research, and learn as much as you can. When done right, your rewards are truly meaningful. As you make strides, you gain insight into your capabilities. Mistakes will happen, and failure is not the end; learn from it and don't give up.