ON DISAPPOINTMENT
A year ago at this time I was wrapped up in the start of a new football season, so pumped for a fresh start (newly repaired Achilles’ tendon and all) and the chance to finish my college career on a high.
Fast forward to now and it’s obviously clear that this past year did not go how I expected. Of course there are moments of frustration, anger, and resentment. Those feelings are meant to be felt. But hidden in those depths of disappointment has come the ultimate opportunity to learn and grow.
The crash course of adversity that I call my last few years at BYU allowed me the chance to internalize these life-shifting lessons:
Complaining about things outside of my control (including my past mistakes) does absolutely zero good for me moving forward and completely robs me of my gratitude for and enjoyment of the present moment.
Allowing my well-being and self-worth to be dictated by subjective outcomes, the opinions of others, or fame, or the praise of external sources (who most of the time don’t even know me) is an absolute time- and energy-suck.
Everyone, in one way or another, is going through something, and I find it so much more fulfilling to serve others with gratitude than it is to feel sorry for myself. It’s not like I’m the only one that deals with disappointment.
Choosing to see the world through a lens of empathy and kindness has wholly shifted my perspective and outlook on life and the people around me, and has significantly reduced any temptation to cast blame or judgment.
I’m sure countless people have already internalized these lessons, but maybe it’s a work in progress for others. Wherever you are on your journey of learning how to learn from disappointment, I just hope you know you’re not alone.