“Head up, heart open. To better days!”
— T.F. Hodge
Struggling to find your motivation? Feeling down and unsure about the next steps?
There are just a few things you need to know right now.
This quick read is for YOU…
Once upon a time there was a woman in her mid-sixties who noticed that she had lived her entire life in the same small town. And although she had spent decades enthusiastically dreaming about traveling and seeing the world, she had never taken a single step to make this dream a reality.
Finally, she woke up on the morning of her 65th birthday and decided that now was the time! She sold all of her possessions except for some essential items she needed, packed these items into a backpack, and began her journey out into the world. The first several days on the road were amazing and filled with awe — with every step forward she felt like she was finally living the life she had dreamed.
But a few short weeks later, the days on the road started taking a toll on her. She felt misplaced and she missed the familiar comforts of her old life. As her feet and legs grew more and more sore with each new step, her mood also took a turn for the worse.
Eventually she stopped walking, took off her backpack, slammed it on the ground, and sat down beside it as tears began streaming down her cheeks. She stared hopelessly down a long winding road that once led to an amazing world, but now seemed to lead only to discomfort and unhappiness. “I have nothing! I have nothing left in my life!” she shouted out loud at the top of her lungs.
Coincidentally, a renowned guru and life adviser from a nearby village was resting quietly behind a pine tree adjacent to where the woman was sitting. When the woman began shouting, the guru heard every word and he felt it was his duty to help her. Without thinking twice, he jumped out from behind the pine tree, grabbed her backpack, and ran into the forest that lined both sides of the road. Stunned and in complete disbelief, the woman started crying even harder than before, to the point of near breathlessness.
“That backpack was all I had,” she cried.” And now it’s gone! Now everything is gone in my life!”
After roughly ten minutes of much-needed tears, the woman gradually collected her emotions, stood up again and began staggering slowly down the road. Meanwhile the guru cut through the forest and secretly placed the backpack in the middle of the road just a short distance ahead of the woman.
When the woman’s teary eyes fell upon the backpack, she almost couldn’t believe what she was seeing — everything she thought she had just lost was once again right in front of her. She couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. “Oh, thank heavens!” the woman exclaimed. “I am so grateful! Now I definitely have what I need to continue onward…”
Sometimes we need a healthy wake-up call.
As we journey through our personal and professional lives, there will inevitably be periods of incredible frustration and despair. During those tough times, it will sometimes appear to us that we’ve lost everything, and that nothing and nobody could possibly motivate us to move onward in the direction of our dreams. But just like the woman who stumbled across the guru, we are all holding with us a backpack of support that comes in many forms — it can be a simple DM or text message from someone we respect, inspiring blog posts, insightful books, helpful neighbors, supportive communities, and so much more.
When the going gets tough — when we’re losing our motivation and feeling down and unsure of everything — we need to wake ourselves up and remember…
- To trust the journey, even when we do not understand it.
- To accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in the road ahead.
- To start exactly where we are, use what we have, and do what we can, one step at a time.
- To look for the blessings hidden in every struggle we face, and be willing to open our hearts and minds to them.
- To recognize our backpack of support — our external sources of hope and motivation — before a random guru (or someone with far more crooked intentions) has to steal it from us so that we can finally see what we have always taken for granted.
- To be present and tap into our own hearts and minds — our internal sources of hope and motivation — which have the power to push us back up on our feet and guide us down the road to our backpack of support, even when it appears to be lost forever.
- To laugh at the confusion, live consciously in the moment, and appreciate the lessons found at each twist and turn.
- To not compare our progress with that of others, and accept that we all need our own time to travel our own distance.
- To see how many of the things we never wanted or expected ultimately turn out to be what we need.
- To be OK with not ending up exactly where we intended to go, while opening ourselves up to the possibility of eventually arriving precisely in the right place at the right time.
Bottom line:
If you are struggling right now, you’ve got this!
No matter your circumstances, you always have what you need to take the next smallest step.
Or as Epicurus so profoundly said, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
Be mindful. Be present. Keep going, one day at a time, one small step at a time.
It’s your turn…
Please leave a comment below and let us know:
What’s one source of hope, motivation, or gratitude you typically turn to when you need it most?
Anything else to share about this essay?
Marc and I would love to hear from YOU. Your feedback is important to us. 🙂
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Dania Lynne Buchanan says
Your articles and emails are such an inspiration. I am at a crossroads in life and am not sure which direction to take. Your writings provide me with motivation to simply not sit down in the road. Thank you.
Carol Anne Obermeier says
Hi
I’m 74, a single woman after 2 marriages, and I need adventures.
Maybe I’m confusing adventures with travel, I don’t know. But I love travel and new ideas and change. I finally have the apt. Of my dreams but I’m restless. I live on my social security of 2800 a month plus 1000 that will run out in 7 years. Any advice?
V V S SREENIVAS says
I have read similar inspirational stories in the past. But narration in this well structured post is gripping and incidentally came at a time when I need it most. Thanks a lot
Sreenivas,India
Cynthia says
I was just sent this article by someone I often turn to in times of struggle, or when I’m in a bewildered state. I thanked him for this new tool for my tool box. It turned out to be a whole backpack of enlightenment. The name of the woman in that story, in my life, is Cynthia — me. She is a work in progress. Thank you for sharing such support.
Priya Dsouza says
Hi
I am a counselor and an educator.I teach teenagers and it is a tough time always keeping them motivated and interested.Most of the time i am drained out of positivity and feel extremely low.I read your post and felt as if I have someone to lift me up on my challenging days.tysm.best wishes from India.
Lee Ann says
The entire first part of the story about a woman is ME. I endlessly dreamed of seeing the places that thrilled me inside before I died. At 65, I realized that I don’t need them. Places are different but people worldwide are all the same: same needs, same desires, same endless searching and all we ever needed to be was thankful and satisfied with the marvelous things and people we share all our lives. Thank you for the reminder as well as sage advice. You are true gems!
Roms says
You are right. I feel the same way too.
Lou says
Mid sixties seems to require a wakeup call
Same feeling ,where is my life ,our manager was my life ,however she passed
Starting over with so many decisions ,
Faye C. says
My husband and I recently retired, sold our home in Wisconsin and moved to Arizona. We took a minimal amount of things and gave away the rest to our kids and donated for good causes.
It’s been a year now and I’m having problems with douts and questioning why I ever left the familiar. I question myself every day but promised my husband (and myself) to give this new move a chance.
I’m having problems leaving my house (for the first time in my life) just to go out to eat.
I have been reading your writings for a couple weeks now which really resonate with me. I’m getting ready to go out to eat as we speak, my heart is pounding, BUT I can do this after reading your writing today especially!
Thank You!
Faye C.
Thomas says
My road and journey has definitely been an eventful one. 20 years ago I was basically homeless and crashing at my cousin’s house. With each step forward each day I’ve come to own a home and married to the greatest woman ever! I enjoy reading your books and the daily emails I receive. My bag of support has certainly gotten me though, and this log is in that bag.
Jamie says
I love what you said about being present and looking at what you have rather than what you don’t have. And I also like how you mentioned that we have everything we need to take the next step forward, and that it must be accomplished one small step at a time. Honestly, this is what your Getting Back to Happy lessons and coaching have helped me with most. In the past I’ve been a slave to my own negativity and self-limiting actions. In fact I’ve literally behaved just like the woman in the opening story of this post. I’ve held myself back simply by telling myself it’s not going to work, or that I’m not good enough because of some past failure or rejection. Thus, I appreciate these reminders today. I’ve come a long way! And it feels good to see the progress firsthand.
And M&A, your work is often the source I turn to most frequently when I meed an extra push in the right direction. Love your emails and books. Thank you.
Petra Gills says
There you go again, Marc and Angel, dropping a new article link in my email right when I needed to some perspective. I feel like one is such a great highlight of what I’ve learned from your blog and book over the past year. Thank you!
And to answer your question about what I turn to on down days when I need an extra push…simple reminders like:
1. “This too shall pass.”
2. And of course, articles like this one.
DR. DINESH SHAH says
These are fantastic principles on which we must rely while dealing with difficult periods of our life . Thank you so much for helping everyone and thus the community by your wonderful insights. Your work is tremendously beneficial to the world.
di says
Thank you. Your letters are unfailingly inspiring. One particular sentence really hit home for me. I am at present almost decided to sell my house (downsizing) from the house in the city where I currently live. For a long time I wanted to live in this space more than anything else in the world. There’s a lot of other things; it’s been a city where I’ve lived the dream’, working at a university and having a full life. Circumstances changed and at 74 I’ve just been divorced for the third time. Although I still have my house the city is so full of memories – and the house too – that I feel I have moved on. My life has been rich and I have travelled, but the urge to start afresh – to move closer to my family is really strong. I always vowed I’d never move to be close to either of my children. I feared being too dependent on them. It’s really such a difficult situation, but your letter made me think slightly differently. I just don’t quite know what to do. But I think that’s okay.
Handycandyman says
Boy howdy. This morning, if I HAD a backpack, I’d not be able to find it. Preparing to head out to help a neighbor on a project, I found myself just bouncing around, trying to find stuff. Life is kinda nuts for most of us, and the disarray in my little world shows it. As I was wrapping up, fixin to start rounding up what I needed, I opened this email. The title was incredibly perfect in context, so I stopped to read it. As usual, y’all hit it right on the head (my head this time). Between this email and my loving wife’s encouragement, I’m ready for the day.
Thanks so much.
Kare Brown says
As always your words inspire and fill my sometimes empty vessel….My go to daily is a note of Gratitude, whether big or small it motivates me daily. Life has been hard since last July and my horrible roll over accident. I will never be the same Kare, but I am working on embracing the new normal for me, and setting positive boundaries. I identify so much as the girl with her backpack full of only what she needs…and also the girl who felt lost during that journey. But I believe in growth.
Deborah says
I truly needed the inspiration this morning from the short story. I’m having a really really hard time in life right now. I have no car, having to walk every where I go. Unfortunately, I don’t have extra funds for a ride service. I have no support. No family, no friends, I am single, also. Anyway, just wanted to say Thank you
Aj says
Hi Deborah, I am sorry to hear you don’t feel you have any support. It is difficult without family and friends. Perhaps you could join a couple of hobby groups that take your interest. You will meet new friends there and have an interest in common with them. If you google something like say “writing group” and the area where you live you may find something to go to. Also if you get there the first time someone may live close by that could give you a lift the next time. Hope this helps even if in some small way. Also I wanted to say to you as you walk remember how lucky you are that you can as so many can’t.
Shirley says
Good evening marc and angels, wow what a breath taking story l was really moved by this thanks so much, after reading this l learnt some lesson s, that to take one day at a time… Amen ?? and never take life for granted thanks again fir akk the wonderful story’s… Regards Shirley
Kathleen M Chaffin says
I realized last night that the incredible lightness and joy I’d experienced two weeks ago had slowly been buried under the quotidian, all the small frustrations and obstacles of my daily life, my personal relationships… it’s so easy to slip into the illusory comfort of old habits and ways of thinking and *being*. I’d awakened this AM with renewed purpose, and, as always, your message arrowed straight to my core. Your apocryphal anecdote made me think of T.S.Eliot’s brilliant poetry in Four Quartets: “… We shall not cease from exploration/And the end of all our exploring will be to return/To the same place/And know it again for the first time.” (That’s probably a misquote but the gist is there.) You are a constant source of light and hope; I am so grateful for your work.
Another quote (I’m a poet), not from Eliot:
“May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on.”
Tracy says
I find myself laid off for the 3rd time in less than 10 years. I am 6 mo into job searching (along with the other 249k tech people this year). It’s just me with my adult children (in college). Money is a huge problem.
You have reminded me to be grateful for what I have. Every night I thank God for another day of sobriety (over 21 years).
Thanks for your inspirational posts.
Karen says
I am coming up to 31 years sober and straight, and I share my gratitude with my higher power each night before sleep. I lost my beautiful husband of 30 years almost 1 year ago to inoperable brain cancer and I grieve every day. Yes I am grateful for the time we had together but I am selfish and I want more even though I know that it isn’t possible. I loved your readings and I have signed up for more emails as I am at a turning point but can’t take the first step. Wish me luck!
Kameela says
Thank you for your inspiring newsletters and this story. At a time when many blogs are requesting a fee for sharing information you should know that yours is really appreciated.
The grass is not always greener on the otherside. I’ve been there and it’s just different not better.If only we can look around and appreciate what we have . I’ve printed off these ten helpful lifehacks and positioned it so I can see it first thing after waking up on the days when motivation is low.
Thank you again
Prabhakar Iswalkar says
Thank you for sharing such an amazing motivational article. It’s really thoughtful, educational, and ignites a spark to stay inspired with small steps that we ignore taking during our tough times.
It’s going to be a great help for people who are struggling to come up or afraid to start because of a lack of motivation.
Keep writing such beautiful articles.
Best wishes today and always!
Pamela says
Thank you seems inadequate. Please accept my gratitude and to all who have replied. I am not only the woman in your story, but the person in many of the comments. May you all be Blessed for the comfort you have provided to me.
Amany says
Thank you for the inspirational and motivational article; I would not add more except of a small piece of advice , about time “ trust “the time” being a natural healer for most of life burdens and concerns! Time is a process to overcome any and all obstacles or difficulties ! Be patient and allow the time
Lou says
That backpack story says a lot, just to be grateful and content and aware — it always comes down to less is more. Thanks.