Tough Times Don’t Last. Tough People Do.

If you’ve ever read a blog that I’ve written you know I can’t help but load them with quotes, phrases, or lyrics that have inspired me. This blog is no different in that regard. This blog, however, will not contain my usual list of things you should do to survive. I’m writing it to tell a story. I’m writing it in hopes that at least one person can find some inspiration in it.

One of my favorite quotes, one that I have to remind myself of constantly is this: “A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” It’s sotrue. The good stuff, the real good stuff, lies right outside of our comfort zones. We are most times just too complacent or too prideful or too scared to step outside and feel it..that is until we are shoved out of it and forced to survive. That inevitable shove is the universe’s way of teaching us a lesson. Think about that. Think about how much easier it is to decide for yourself that you’re going to be a better parent, or a better partner, or a better colleague, or a better friend. I guarantee you it’s much less painful than having someone else decide that for you, or even worse..take that opportunity away from you completely. We, unfortunately, are living in this crazy scary time where our world is the victim of violence, industry cuts, and sacrifices. We are all being shoved out of our comfort zones, and being forced to live with the fear of our livelihoods..on so many levels.

That’s terrifying y’all. But being scared also means that you have the opportunity to be brave, to be humble, and to shine.

I had an extremely humbling work experience recently, and I thought I’d take advantage of this platform to share what I learned from it. Without going in to too many details—I got up on a high horse (and I mean HIGH) about a project I’m exceedingly passionate about, and I ran my mouth. I’m the first to admit it. I should have toned it down. I’m certain I offended some people in the process, not purposefully (I would never do that), but that was collateral damage caused by a moment of excessive pride and sass. And let me tell you..falling off of that high horse was zero fun. To make a long story short I was served a huge piece of humility and humble pie, but I’m grateful that I screwed up. I needed to be knocked down. I needed to take a step back and realize how lucky I am to have a job that I love, to have people on my team and on my side that love and count on me. I get work with people who literally change and better the lives of others. I get to do that every day. And sometimes I get lucky..and I get to change a life. I needed that humility. I needed that lesson. It’s going to make me a better recruiter. Honestly, it’s going to make me a better human. I know that, because that’s not my first lesson in humility, and it certainly won’t be my last. The universe is funny that way.

Let me tell you a little story about a girl who was in 7th grade majoring in theater arts, and she was cast to be Santa Clause in the annual Christmas performance. Everyone was gathered in the large auditorium (hundreds and hundreds of people) awaiting “A Cajun Night Before Christmas”. She was dressed in a burlap Santa suit stuffed with pillows and wearing Scooby Doo Christmas boxers underneath her Santa pants. Why the boxers, you might ask? Well, there was a scene in the play where the sneaky mouse was to pull Santa’s pants down leaving her stranded while placing gifts under the tree. Little did they know there was a bit of a wardrobe malfunction with Santa’s pants. The drawstring was knotted, and when the mouse pulled on cue..not only did Santa’s pants come down, but the Scooby Doo boxers did too. So there I was..standing in front of hundreds of people in some purple consons’ (that’s the Cajun word for underwear). Talk about a life lesson in humility..and as bad as I wanted to run off of that stage and cry–I didn’t. Just like life, the show must go on. So I pulled up my drawers, finished the play, and cried like a little baby after the curtain closed.

Life isn’t fair, y’all. That’s no secret. Look at these 2 stories. Straight up, no doubt about it, I deserved the humility lesson from last week. But what 7th grader (while already in the most awkward phase of life—middle school) deserves to accidentally moon an auditorium full of people? Am I right?  But I’m a better human for it. It has literally molded me into who I am today, and every struggle, and every knock down off of a high horse continues to mold me..and I choose to embrace those moments. I think we all should.

In a time where we all have zero control of what’s happening in our world and our country, I choose to have control over SOMETHING or EVERYTHING that I can. I choose joy. I choose to have control over my relationships, my work ethic, and my attitude. I choose kindness. I choose taking one for the team. I choose an open mind. I choose to look at the big picture. I choose to step it up a notch and set an example. I choose to embrace the struggle. I choose to lean of those who love me. I choose bravery as I step outside of my comfort zone on my own accord, and I choose to remain humble. I choose to shine.


If you’re looking to make a change in your career or you’re simply looking for a job that will provide you opportunities to shine – check out the job opportunities on our website.

Article written by Kayla Stansbury, Recruiter

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