Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen

The year 2009 has almost reached the end, and we are anxiously waiting for the results. The outcome of the results have an impact on our view of ourselves as human beings. When results are good we feel good as people, and when they are bad, we tend to view ourselves as failures. Of course this is human nature. Academically even the most successful scholars had times in their lives when their results were not good.

When results are not good, we feel disappointed as it impacts on our plans about our career. We question our ability and our choices regarding the qualifications we chose. During this time one feels very lonely as there is a perception that our significant others do not understand or are not supportive. We also spend a lot of time focussing on the negative results but not reflecting on the process involved towards the results and then think what we need to change or learn for the future.

Negative results can also come during the time when we are also experiencing some personal difficulties which might be perceived as a confirmation of the view that we are failures in life. For example, your contract was not renewed at your employer, your relationship with your partner is strained or your children are acting out. This can be so personal that you get depressed and you lose hope about life in general.

When you reach this stage, please seek help. Speak to someone in the family, church, community, university or hospital. In the process of sharing your difficulties with others, you find the solution and other views of looking at the situation which can make the situation less overwhelming.