Do you consider yourself a wise person? Do you give thought to your ways before acting? A prudent person thinks before he or she acts. However, many people in today’s society tend to act or re-act to situations based on their emotions. An optimistic person doesn’t think negatively when things aren’t looking “up.” Finding peace in making decisions comes from careful planning, and for many people, prayer is required.

Staying busy is a form of action that people engage in when attempting to become successful. By simply composing ‘to do’ lists, people race from place to place while battling the challenge of trying to conquer the impossible. Meanwhile, they steadily check off another item from their list of duties. These people pour out their hearts and work tirelessly just to feel appreciated or successful.

Sometimes these people feel as though they are running in place! Their bodies are constantly in motion, but so is life. For some, life seems to be a constant change that often makes them feel as if they are being beaten up. No matter how courageous they attempt to be, circumstances create struggles that make them feel weaker as humans.

Unfortunately, we all face those seasons of life that appear difficult to survive. Some circumstances simply seem out of our control. A brief time of unemployment, financial battles, medical dilemmas, bewildered family relations and strained marriages can exhaust anyone. It is strange how some of our happiest moments can some day bring us the greatest turmoil. A trusted friend can end up as an enemy, couples who thought they couldn’t live without each other can end up detesting one another, and businesses can thrive and then fail miserably. Although we all struggle, we must find comforting ways to deal with the shrapnel of the unexpected. We must explore ways to move past the limits of our past mistakes and generate our energy toward a brighter mindset of a champion.

Successful people are conditioned to prevail. Winners train for competition days. They empower themselves to use the tools and knowledge available to become successful in their daily feats.

Remember: NO victory is accomplished without previous defeat and conflict, but a true winner overcomes barriers that could produce negative results. Therefore, regardless of where you are in your life struggles, take baby steps to reach “the top of YOUR mountain.”

Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who lives in Daphne.