Why Getting Bitch Slapped By Life Can Be the Best Thing to Happen to You

Making significant changes in our life often involves making uncomfortable decisions, and since we don’t like that icky feeling, we stay where we are. We may be less than thrilled by our lot, but we are comfortable; everything is familiar and we know what to expect each day when we get out of bed. Things are not ideal, but they are not so bad we feel compelled to make any sort of significant change.

Or maybe you are really itching to make a change but are just too damned scared. So, then you try to convince yourself that things are okay, just as they are; even though, deep down, you know you are full of crap.

But, then something happens completely out of the blue that shakes up your whole world. Maybe you lose your job. Maybe your boyfriend– who you probably should have dumped a long time ago anyway– has been cheating and decides to leave you for someone else. You have just been bitch slapped by  life and are feeling raw, confused and probably just a tad angry.

Having been on the receiving end of that slap, I can tell you it is not pleasant. But, it can also be one of the best things to happen to you. You are now left with no other choice but to change. The Universe has forced your hand, and you have been presented with a tremendous opportunity to create a life made to order.

I Was Bitch Slapped by Life When My Freelance Income Disappeared Virtually Overnight

When I first started doing freelance writing work, I was with a company that owned numerous web properties. They were aggressively building content and there was a ton of assignments available. There were probably hundreds, if not thousands of people, who made a full-time living off this bounty of articles to be written. The work was so steady, I never thought to look for more clients. At the time, I had been working with them for over 2 years.

I was traveling at the time, and not working a whole lot– just enough to cover my trip, which was in an area with low cost of living. So I was not pulling in as much as I might have had I been in the States, thought I could have easily done that if it were not for my laziness.  But, then some major changes led the work to dry up almost instantly; no one saw it coming. I had a pathetic amount of money in my account, and was majorly screwed.

Going home and getting a regular job was just not an option. So, I began literally living off my credit cards. I charged anything I could, and for anything that I couldn’t, like rent, I took out a cash advance.  Speaking of bitch slaps, Suze Orman would have wanted probably wanted to give me a one or two.

I Had Two Options: Be Overcome with Terror and Panic  or Kick My Personal Development Work into Overdrive

When getting bitch slapped by life, you too will have these two options. Don’t get me wrong..I had plenty of moments of panic and tears. I remember one day looking at the cleaning staff at the hotel I was staying in at the moment, and realizing maids in the poorest country in the region, and probably the world, were making more money than me right now.  That was a major bummer.

But, most of the time, I was furiously working on developing a mindset conducive to success. I read up more on law of attraction; I meditated more; I wrote out my gratitude lists; I realized that I had outgrown that opportunity and was not really liking it anymore, so I learned to see this shake-up as a necessary part of moving on. I had plenty of time on my hands to work on myself, and I took full advantage of the opportunity.

I Learned to Shift Perspective and Look for the Good

Many people would consider living off credit cards to be highly irresponsible, and I guess it kind of is. I am not advocating you do this; but if it came down to it, and was the only way to pursue your dream, I would say, do it, and pay it back later. I am not exactly known for promoting what most people consider ”responsible” and ”practical” behavior.

When I would start to feel a bit sick about my mounting debt, I shifted perspective. Instead of being upset I was using my cards so heavily, I was grateful they were there to use to give me a roof over my head, and food. I kind of looked at it as an investment in my future.

When I would find myself focusing on my problems, I would try to shift to what I could be thankful for. This experience definitely helped me get better at catching myself when I am being an ungrateful tool.

The Big Payoff

Had that opportunity not disappeared, I would have never done all the work on myself that I had. I grew by leaps and bounds, and I made major shifts in my energy and belief system. After a few months of major growth work, I landed three new jobs within one week. They were steady, and I was making more money than I ever had in my life, working part-time mind you.

And, within a few months, my card balances were back to zero, so no real harm done there except a bit of a ding to my credit score, but whatevs  . Since this incident, I have changed in so many positive ways, and I can say with certainty,  this extremely trying time was truly one of the best things that could have happened to me.

Sometimes really bad things need to happen in order for good to emerge. We just get way too comfortable with our current circumstances, and there is just not quite enough fire in our belly to make the changes we would like to make.

So, if you feel you have recently been bitch-slapped by life, moan, groan and have yourself a good old pity party. Get it out of your system, and then start to see this turn of events for the wonderful thing it is. A chance to start creating the life you truly want.