Be Thankful for the Highs, but Be Prepared for the Lows

Lately, my family and I have been going through some lows. That’s life.

When things are good, you don’t feel the need to broadcast it—you just live in it. You enjoy it. You breathe it in.

And when things are bad?
You don’t need to sit in it forever either.

You accept both.

Because the truth is simple: life isn’t built on constant highs. It’s a cycle. A rollercoaster. Sometimes you take three steps back just to move one step forward—and that one step still counts.

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Prepare for the Down Times

It’s easier said than done. You never know what the “low” will look like or when it’ll hit.

But one thing is certain—it will come.

So when it does, don’t act surprised. Adjust.

Every loss carries a lesson. There’s always something there—if you’re willing to look for it.

Back in 2009, during the recession, I lost my job. At the time, it felt like everything was falling apart.

But looking back? It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

I was a mechanic, stuck in work that didn’t fulfill me. I was already mentally checked out. Depressed. Lost.

Getting laid off forced a change I probably wouldn’t have made on my own.

It pushed me back into school. It pushed me forward.

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When You’re in the Low

Things feel down right now—and that’s real.

But there’s something I’ve learned: there’s a rubber band effect in life. The pullback only matters if you’re still applying tension. If you’re still working.

This isn’t a punishment. It’s not even a test.

It’s necessary.

It’s a moment where you figure out who you are—and how you move forward.

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Who Are You When It’s Hard?

I once told my cousin this:

Imagine you’re in a room with 1 working power outlet… and 999 that don’t.

Do you randomly try a few, get frustrated, and quit?

Or do you start at one end—and methodically work your way through until you find it?

Don’t rely on luck, make your own.

That’s life.

That’s discipline. That’s resilience.

That’s the difference.

| About Me – Latrelle Brown | Facing Challenges: An Evidence-Based Guide to Navigating Life’s Ups and Downs – Dr Maike Neuhaus |