Ever looked back at your life and see nothing changed much?

First, Thank you for starting this discussion. Second, I want to tell you that I felt the same stagnant feeling that you're having just the other day. Third, it is really depressing to realize that my life has not been improving for the last few years. Fourth, I didn't like the feeling so I pray for divine intervention. Fifth, the next thing I know I was attentively listening to a colleague who's sharing his teenage experience . When at age 13, he decides to runaway. While walking, he saw a family sleeping on the streets. A man, his wife & three kids (estimately age 4, 2 & 3 months). Since he doesn't know where to go, he decides to sit beside the mother. My colleague talk to the mother and ask about their condition. The mother told him that their life was not easy - no house, no decent clothes, no regular food, no daily water. They have always depend on the alms people are giving them. During their conversation, my colleague mentioned to her why he was there. It was this woman, who convince him to go back home & say sorry to his parents. The woman has also given him fare money. Lastly, the woman told her to start counting his blessings because only that way, he'll realize that life is not miserable afterall. It is only us who insisted to get too much from this life that makes life ugly & unhappy.

Don't be discouraged by what you think you see. Every smiling face lies something not too pleasant that we don't get to see. Similarly, there may be other people who looks at you and feels that you are doing better than them. It is an endless comparison. We have different interpretation on what is good and what is not. For someone without a car, having a bicycle is a bless while a small car owner may be looking at his friend's big Mercedes... If you know what you want in life, think about it, make a plan, do it. Keep in mind that you have to be always realistic. Something is just out of our control and we just have to accept it, for example, my look. I always want to look like Tom Cruise but I know it is mission impossible for me, as I look more like Rowan Atkinson :( A good way to be more open to look at the world and our life is to do voluntary work to help those unfortunates, the old and the disables. Donate your blood at 3 months intervals. Always do good. After you have done all that, you will fell very different. You will look at things differently from before.

By any chance were you looking at facebook profiles? Then stop! You know that they only appear to be happy there because they chose to post 'happy' moments. And for those that are genuinely successful, or genuinely happy, they came to a time in their life just like where you are now. They looked at their friends and saw that a lot are happy and successful. So, they did something about it to make their lives better. And not stagnant. So, take their cue. Do something about it too! Goodluck.

It does seem like that sometimes but changes are not obvious, unless you go back far enough. I think that there are just going to be a lot about life that is a slow and gradual change. Which is more than fine, as those who change for the sake of change, I am really not all that comfort with to say the very least. Of course, there are times where people change at a rabid rate but they also burn themselves out much faster. As I step back from a lot of things in life, I realize that there have been some rather moderate changes over the years and perhaps I am in the middle of a change. I think that when looking at a smaller, more closed off picture, you realize that not much in your life has changed. Which really is not necessarily a bad thing, although you can feel as if you're stuck in a rut at times. There are times when you're in a huge transitional period in your life when the frustration kicks in.

Only you have the power to control the outcome. Over the years I faced much of the same feelings until I realized it was all me. Avoid letting people tell you what to do, when to do it, and where to go. A positive look on life itself helps a great deal. Keep negative thoughts away by avoiding the ones who bring them to you.

You're not alone with this. I feel the same way too but I just do what I should suppose to do, just feel positive when unfortunate events struck. And I have compared myself as well to my friends and other colleagues, they have done pretty much with their lives and I felt like I was sooo behind but I still go on hoping my time would come. I think this is normal but I would respond to it on a positive way and just don't compare myself to others so often. Well that's their lives and I got mine and I know for sure things happen for a reason. I'm just thankful each day that I'm alive and enjoying the benefits of being human.:) hehe.

This morning I woke up with the same feeling. Its not that I felt that everyone else was happier than me. It is just that why is my life taking a turn for the worse? Why are things just going wrong with me. Nothing is happening right. This were not like this before. Just hope things will change soon.

Trust me your not the only one to feel that way. I've felt that way for some time now & I'm married. Don't get me wrong I love my husband & he makes me happy, but we live hours away from both his family & my family. We have no friends here either so while my husband is at work I spend my days cooking & cleaning & doing laundry, but always alone. I miss my family. I miss being with them, seeing my nephews & niece growing up. The years go by faster & faster & I can't help but think that so much is passing me by. So you see your not alone. Everyone feels this way some times. Just remember that even though some people seem to be happy all the time, it may even look like their lives are perfect, but there not. Everyone feels like there is more they want to do or accomplish in their lives. Just remember that no one's life is perfect.

If you know there is nothing change in your life and looks the same well it is only on your choice what your plan to change and need to achieve. Me i know that there is things need to change and it only depend on me what need to do.

I can relate to you, chiyosan. Recently, I've been feeling that too. It's not that there's nothing happening but the progress seems very slow on my part compared to the others. Although I am not really unhappy, I just feel dissatisfied with my accomplishments. Perhaps, that's one reason why I do not go to class reunions... Anyway, I'd be glad to read others responses to your discussion.