With Hardship, Come Ease

Yes I’ve felt lost and not in control of life’s situations. Then I realized that I’m not in control nor is anybody else. The hope that I did discover only comes from a relationship with God the father of Christ Jesus. Man searches in vain all his life through things of this world which rot or rust or has been stolen away. No amount of things or success can give a person one ounce of hope and security. So this is what keeps me going and all pumped up cause through the Bible I’ve discovered who I am and what Jesus is offering me verses what the world tries to offer me. No comparison.   Stephen Erbe Chicago, USA.

Hello friend.  My dogs kept me going. My commitment to them is enormous no matter what I'm enduring in life.  1) I made that commitment to them and to myself when I rescued them. 2) to remind myself that I have much going for me even though it doesn't seem like it. I found myself thinking about the things and people I am grateful for.  3) to know that even though I love my current job, I don't care for the people I am working for, and there will always be a job out there with people who back me up and appreciate me for my hard work.  4) my family loves me.  5) even though I struggle with my faith, I have been shown miracle after miracle lately, feeling strongly some of my prayers are being answered.  6) it's like a rough workout. I ask myself: ‘ what do I need to change or add to my life to make those positive changes’. CHOICES……. I really had to make some positive choices. Some things I started out to change or create were tougher than others, and cur...

I had Meningococcal Septicemia when I was nine. Ever since, I lived a life of indirect adversities. As a hormonal teenager, I would be identified with only my circumstances as I didn't know any differently. I eventually grew up and learned to live independently. My ego was seeking attention that I once received in excess. I mixed with the wrong crowd, so to speak, and was content for a short while. Of course, the past always repeats and bites back. The cycle got too much. I got sick of being sick. I discovered CBT, then Zen, and then Stoicism. The combination of the three changed my entire perspective and I came to discover who I truly am. I was, and still am, ostracized, but I learned to love myself and understand better. By loving myself, I can live life accordingly and in the Present. I have become Enlightened. I strive to help myself and others when possible, refraining from identifying with the pain-body. I also strive to meet the four virtues of Stoicism, lest I ...

He stood there, tall and thin with wire glasses that looked dark against his pale skin.  He was the "best" neurosurgeon in the area and in his white doctor's coat, he exuded confidence.  He had a MRI scan in his hands and he looked down, as if studying what he had already study many times, for the first time.  I did not see a neurosurgeon, nor even a doctor, rather I saw a judge and in his coat was not white nor a coat, it was a dark robe.  In his hands was the verdict he was prepared to hand down, for some infraction I did not commit. He looked down at the scan, looked up, and spoke; "It is a tumor, it is against your brain stem and it has to come out."  I stood stunned as if I had just been sentenced to the executioner's guillotine.  He must have seen the blood drain from my face for he looked down at the picture in his hand again and looked up; "Yes, it has to come out.  The sooner the better.  I am away next week, but we will schedule for t...

"With Hardship, Come Ease" is a project where I am collecting personal narrative and stories of brave and strong people to assess the concept of resilience. How we humans hit rock bottom and how we bounce back. It would be great if you be the part of if and share your story with me. Have you ever felt done/ lost with your life? What kept you going? Be open, be vulnerable. Be raw. Last but not least. How you got control over the situation? What was that exact thing which gave you hope to be alive again? Also give alt east one advice in the end for those who are going through the tough time. We all go through a lot at some point in our lives. I am a firm believer that with every hardship there comes ease. The journey becomes easy when we listen others stories of hope. That is the aim and object of the study. It is also OK if you want to go anonymous. The aim is to collect stories and photographs. Send me your entries with your age, location and a pho...