Pathwalking 160
Disappointment happens.
It is something we cannot avoid. When there is something we want or desire or have our hopes about – and that thing does not happen – disappointment occurs.
This is a part of human nature. When we have our wants and desires denied us, we become displeased and we cannot help but feel disappointment.
Yes, I have stated here rather frequently that you feel what you allow yourself to feel. I have also stated that you should never disregard and ignore what you are feeling, but rather let it happen…then move past it.
Lingering on negative feelings will only draw more in. So while you will feel disappointment, how long you allow it to fester and how long you let it be without redirecting, channeling or otherwise acting to do something about it is wholly up to you.
How do you move past disappointment? Myself and a lot of my friends are currently asking this very question. We thought something we had all desired to see happen would, and when it did not we were disappointed en masse. When even a possible alternative presented to us turned out to not be we did not receive any consolation. So here we are, disappointed, and wondering what can we do?
As per usual, I have no simple answers. But these are some ideas I believe that we can all work with.
Redirect. I am feeling disappointment. But rather than just let those negative emotions settle into my life and dominate my actions, I can choose to take a new direction. I can find a means that will help me move past my disappointment, and let me feel positive again.
What will make me feel not disappointed? How can I turn this experience to my advantage? Maybe that which I desired was not as good as I might have hoped for, and now I can go on from my disappointment to build something even better.
I can redirect the disappointment I am feeling to something I can make use of. I can work to build something that will make me feel better. Redirect the feelings.
Channel. Take that negative energy and use it for something else. Use it to start something new. Maybe a new path on the same line, or even a whole new direction entirely. Rather than let the negativity of the disappointing situation gain ground and build up cynicism and bitterness, you could channel that energy into something else.
Channel that feeling into something you can make use of, or into something more positive. Take whatever measures you can to release the disappointment, channel it elsewhere and use that new positive energy to move forward upon a chosen path.
Take action. Don’t just wallow in your disappointment, do something. Maybe you can do something to address the disappointment, in especial when you are dealing with an outside influence. If someone or something let you down, you can take some kind of action to work with it.
There are lots of actions you can take. You can address the person or people who have caused you this disappointment in a constructive way, or you can take an unrelated action to create forward momentum and move past the disappointing situation. There are, undoubtedly, scores of other options to be had.
One note of vital importance. I stated above about addressing matters with constructive actions. This also applies to channeling the negativity and redirecting the feelings. It is important this is a positive approach. If you take on a destructive action, if you redirect your disappointment into rage and if you channel the negativity into different negativity, you will only find new ways to acquire even more disappointment, and worse.
That’s not to say you should not get angry, disappointment can certainly lead to anger, in especial where outside influences beyond your control are involved. Go ahead, be mad…but don’t let it direct you towards rage and destruction…instead release it, and build something even better.
Disappointment is a strong feeling. When you’ve been let down, and more when you are not alone in that emotion, it is easy to let it grow and generate more negativity. Be aware of this feeling, and let it run its course. But don’t hold onto it, don’t grasp at it…use it to do something different, use it to chart a whole new Path.
We are only human. Things are going to happen along the way, with any paths we are on, that will cause us to feel disappointed. It is unavoidable, but rather than let it rule our lives and direct our actions, we can choose what to do with this feeling.
Disappointment happens. The question is, when it happens, how do you deal with it?
This is the one-hundred sixtieth entry in my series. These weekly posts are specifically about walking along the path of life, and my personal desire to make a difference in this world along the way. Feel free to re-blog and share. Thank you for joining me.
The first fifty-two weeks (Year One) of installments of Pathwalking is available in print and for your Kindle.
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