While listening to Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***,” I was struck by the concept of “embracing the suck.” His observation that we’ve become increasingly uncomfortable with imperfection resonated deeply. Clearly that has been my theme for the past few weeks!
We are constantly bombarded with images of seemingly perfect lives on social media, creating a distorted perception of reality. My social media has often shown the imperfections of life. I vividly remember a post in June of 2017 about bringing my kids to camp on the wrong day! It was crazy how many people commented sharing their similar mishaps. It helped me laugh through it.
There is a powerful Jewish proverb, Gam Zeh Ya’avor. It means, “This too shall pass.” It is a saying that works in any circumstance. So, if something is sucky, embrace the suck because it is temporary. And if you, now, are in the middle of some bad stuff, then know the good stuff is coming. This too shall pass. The bad stuff shall pass. And when things are wonderful and fabulous, don’t get too comfortable, because this too shall pass. I actually think that that’s part of the joy of the roller coaster of life, the ups and downs.
While I often write about positivity and choosing happiness, I also believe in accepting that not everything will be perfect. 2021 was a difficult year for me. My life didn’t unfold as I’d hoped, and I lost my beloved mother. Embracing the suck doesn’t mean pretending that everything is fine and you are not hurting. In my mind, it’s about maintaining perspective and recognizing that even the darkest moments are not permanent. It’s about trusting that when things are bad, there’s a good chance they will get better.
Remember, life is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the ups and downs, the joys, and sorrows, for they are all part of what makes life interesting.