Decision and Determination

“It’s too late now.” I thought. 

I had been struggling with my emotions lately and, instead of doing what I knew I should to get myself on the right track, I let myself be weighed down by my negative emotions.

You see, I tell you all what I’ve learned and what I know helps, but I sometimes have trouble putting it into practice myself. As I’ve said before, it just seems easiest to let yourself fall in the natural downward direction. It’s the most inviting, and requires the least amount of work. 

I knew what I ought to do, but I neglected it. I let myself spiral, and then I thought the above statement. My thinking was: I’ve fallen too far and I can’t get myself back up. However, this is untrue.

Although picking oneself up from the floor requires more effort — more muscular work — than getting off a chair, it is still possible.

So if you’ve let your emotions fall into the pit of despair, I’m here to remind you that you can pick yourself back up and it only takes two things: decision and determination.

If you’re rolling your eyes at this and thinking that it’s so much harder than that, I agree. I know it is; trust me.

But really, if you think about it, it does come down to those two things.

When a baby learns to walk, it is not effortless. It is not without stumbling and falling. 

Babies must first make a decision on their part to walk. Parents can hold them up by their arms and force them to “walk” all they want, but a baby does not truly take it’s first step until it does so on its own. As such, it’s required that a baby decide that he or she has a destination to get to, and decide to take that step. 

However, just because a baby wants to walk, it does not mean that they will be able to do so immediately.

Desire is the prerequisite to starting something, but completion does not always come so easily. Effort is almost always needed.

A baby desiring to walk will first use objects to help lift themselves. They will be unable to let go without tipping over. Later, they will be able to release them. Then, the first shaky step happens before they land firmly on their bottom. Then, the next step comes, and the next, until eventually they are walking.

However, babies must endure hard falls and scares as they learn. Walking may be simple to us, as we’ve been doing it for so long. But to a baby, this is an entirely new skill that’s hard. And it’s the same with overcoming emotions.

Others might not have a problem shaking stuff off. They might not ever feel “blue” or anxious, but to us it’s hard, and that’s okay. We’re learning; there’s nothing wrong with that.

But here’s the thing: like a baby, we must be determined. 

Babies don’t let stumbles, tumbles, and boo-boos stop them. They get back up. They may cry a little, but they get back up and try again. They tackle the next step. 

They’ve got determination, and that’s a necessary component for us as well.

We can not let our emotions, hard times, difficult circumstances, laziness, or comfortability keep us trapped. We can’t let fear hold us back. We have to be determined to shake off our negative thinking, and work for our betterment.

Healthy mindsets don’t happen overnight, and they won’t be without stumbles, tumbles, and ouchies either. Like learning to walk, we’ll go through some stuff. We’ll struggle. But we’ll learn and grow if we’re determined.

If you’re looking for specific steps on pulling out of negative mindsets (depression in specific) check out my first two blogs ever. This post is simply to motivate you to get started.

It’s not too late. You can start now, and you can do it. It just takes decision and determination. 

Decide today and be determined to see it through.

---

Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige