Keep Moving Forward
We've all faced hardships of some kind in life. We've all had moments when things didn't work out the way that we had hoped they would or how we would have liked. We've all faced disappointment and setbacks. We've also all faced the same choice that comes shortly thereafter.
After something fails to work out for us, we have to decide how to respond to that setback. If the cause or goal is meaningful enough we may decide to appeal a decision or otherwise fight back. But for the most part when setbacks come our way we're left to decide whether to focus on the loss or to find a way to move on.
If you recently lost your job don't let your disappointment over the job loss keep you from the opportunity to get a new and even better job. If you're recently divorced, you could mourn the loss of your relationship for the rest of your life or you could enjoy your newfound freedom and start looking for someone who's a better match. If you didn't make the team you could feel bad for the missed opportunity or pull yourself back up and start looking for a better opportunity.
Please understand that this does not mean you can't or shouldn't allow yourself to be upset over a lost relationship, career setback, academic failure, financial loss, etc. There is a time and a place for being upset, for being sad, and even for being angry.
The point here is not to allow yourself to get stuck. If someone breaks up with you it's okay to cry. When your new car gets totaled in an accident it's okay to be upset. If you apply for a promotion that you don't get, there's nothing wrong with being disappointed.
The problem comes when you don't allow yourself to move forward. Once you've taken a reasonable amount of time to mourn, grieve, or otherwise be upset there comes a point where you need to move on. If you're still stuck on your ex-boyfriend who mistreated you, you just might miss out on the man you're meant to be with. If you continue to be depressed and feel sorry for yourself after losing a job, you might just miss out on your dream job.
Sometimes we have to break up with the wrong person to meet the right one, or lose one job so that we'll be available for a better one. That's the point. Allow yourself the time you need to get your emotions out about what just happened. But after you've done that, don't let yourself get stuck there. Be open and available to the joy and happiness that just might be around the corner. You'll be glad you did!