The Four Things That Change You: Learning to See the Light When Life Gets Dark
Love. Music. Art. Loss.
The first three will keep you wild and full of passion. May you allow the last to make you brave.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. Just when you think you have things figured out, something comes along to shake your world. And in those moments, it’s easy to focus on the hardship, the pain, or the frustration. But what if you could shift your perspective? What if you could see the beauty hidden in the struggle?
The Power of Perspective
Here’s the thing—life isn’t always fair. It isn’t always easy. But your perspective? That’s yours to control.
Think about the last time something went wrong. Maybe it was something small, like spilling coffee on your shirt before an important meeting. Or maybe it was something bigger, like losing a loved one or watching a dream slip away. In that moment, you had a choice. You could let frustration and sadness consume you, or you could look for the lesson, the silver lining, the tiniest glimmer of hope that things will be okay.
Love: The Ultimate Reminder That Life is Worth It
Love is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright frustrating. But it’s also the force that keeps us going. It’s what makes your heart race when you hear your favorite person’s voice, the warmth you feel when your pet curls up beside you, the way music lyrics suddenly make sense when you’re in love. Love reminds you that even when things get tough, there’s something—someone—worth holding onto.
Music: The Soundtrack to Your Resilience
There’s a reason certain songs hit differently depending on your mood. Music has this incredible ability to transport you, to make you feel seen and understood. Whether it’s an upbeat tune that gets you dancing in your kitchen or a slow ballad that makes you cry on the drive home, music is proof that emotions are meant to be felt, not avoided. Next time life throws a punch, put on your favorite song and let it help remind you of something posititve.
Art: The Beauty in Brokenness
Kintsugi, meaning "golden joinery" in Japanese, is the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer, often dusted with gold, silver, or platinum, to emphasize the repairs and celebrate the object's history. Art isn’t just paintings in a gallery. It’s the doodle in your notebook when your mind wanders. It's a photo that captures the perfect memory. It’s the way light hits the trees just right at sunset. It’s the smile lines on an aging face, proof of a life well-lived. I practice woodworking and create wood art. Art exists in the imperfections, the messy, the unexpected. When I see a crack in a solid piece of wood, I know it is still workable and usable, not broken. Art can be beautiful despite its flaws, so can life.
Loss: The Hardest Teacher, But the Most Powerful One
Loss is the thing we all fear, the thing we try to avoid. But loss has a way of reshaping us in ways nothing else can. It teaches you what truly matters. It strips away the unnecessary and leaves behind only what’s real. It forces you to be brave, to move forward even when you don’t know how. And somehow, in the midst of the pain, you realize that the love, the music, and the art—they never really leave you. They live on in the memories, in the stories, in the way you carry yourself forward.
Practical Ways to Change Your Perspective
Next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, try this:
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Pause and Breathe. Regrettable decisions are usually made under stress or anger, so don't make a situation worse. Give yourself a moment to step back and collect your thoughts.
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Find One Thing to Be Grateful For. The worst thing that's ever happened to you is the worst thing that's ever happened to you so far. Even on the worst days, there’s something—a sunrise, a song, a friend. Things could be better, but they can be worse too!
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Reframe the Situation. Is the glass half full? or half empty? Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What can I learn from this?”
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Engage with Art or Music. Put on a song, sketch, dance—express yourself in any way that feels right. It'll increase your serotonin and get that dopamine flowing!
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LET IT OUT! When words don't work, let it out another way. Put on your favorite playlist and go for a run. Throw paint at a canvas just to make a mess! Build something. Writing in a journal. Practice poetry. Talk to someone. Sometimes, saying it out loud helps you see things more clearly.
A Gentle Reminder
Hard times don’t last forever. And even in the middle of them, there are still moments of joy, wonder, and beauty waiting to be noticed. So, take a deep breath, look around, and find one thing that makes you smile today.
If you want more inspiration and meaningful keepsakes that remind you of life’s most precious moments, check out our collection of laser-engraved art at statelinewoodshine.com. Follow us on Facebook YouTube or Pinterest for daily inspiration, stories, and art that speaks to the soul.