Will Everything Be Okay? Only If You Think Like This

If you're reading this, you're going to be okay.

How do I know this?

Because you're a person who took the time to search for an answer to the age-old question: "Will everything be okay?"

You're curious about life.

You're a sensitive person like I am.

And that's not a bad thing.

Sensitivity is an openness to feeling what's going on--and then doing something about it.

But to know if everything will be okay, there are things to think about first.

And questions you need to consider.

I'm going to walk you through that process now.

What You're Really Asking When You Ask, "Will Everything Be Okay?"

Here's the thing.

You're not really wanting to know if everything will be OK.

You're wanting something to stop.

Usually, it's some kind of uncomfortable feeling that's gnawing at you.

You're not wanting to feel what you're feeling.

You want something to be different.

And that's okay in and of itself.

Every feeling is just that--a feeling.

Feelings are signals.

They let us know that something needs to be addressed.

We evolved to feel.

It's a signal that we are alive and kicking.

But feelings are also guideposts.

Some guideposts are good and let us know we're on track.

Other guideposts are indications that something might be seriously wrong.

What kind of guidepost are you butting up against now?

Only you can answer that.

And only you can answer this next crucial question.

What does "Okay" Mean to You in Your Life?

Is it a life full of money?

Is it good relationships?

Is it your mom loving you?

There is something in your life right now that is "off," and you're having trouble pinpointing what is.

For me, when I find myself asking this question, I know it's a signal to stop and check in with who I am and what I need.

I know now that there will always be tough times.

Tough times have already hit me hard: open-heart surgery at 24, dealing with major depression, being sidetracked by my anxiety and OCD, to name a few.

But I also know that experiencing tough times doesn't mean I have to be controlled by them.

The power comes from what you do after the feeling.

After the feeling is where you take control and create meaning.

The best advice is the advice you know to be true. For you.

It might come from a book, or it might come from a friend.

But when it hits you, you just know.

OK in one situation is not-OK in another.

So you must also ask and answer...

In Which Situation Do You Need to Okay?

Maybe you feel that you're destined for more--that you're not an average person.

Maybe you're a woman and you feel that you're trapped in a role society has placed on you, not one that you've defined for yourself.

Maybe you're just going through a particularly rocky time and you want to know what steps you need to take to get going again.

All these situations are different.

It sounds obvious when you think about it, but your particluar situation is going to determine what A-OK means to you.

It's your life, and you can't see through the lens of a parent, a trusted mentor, a coach, a pastor, or whoever else might be giving you advice.

You have to see through your own paradigm, and that can be really tough sometimes.

An ideal situation for a friend of yours may not be your ideal situation.

It could be far from it.

So, Yes, Everything Will Be Okay, But Only If...

You figure out what OKAY means for you.

This is a process that can take five minutes or five years.

There are no rules around the road to self-discovery.

But you have to get on the road.

You have to commit to it.

And you have to stay curious throughout.

Pain examined can soon be pain removed.

If you're uncomfortable or anxious, please own it.

See the feeling for what it is.

And then make a decision to change your life.