Bitter or Better? A Quote That Can Change your Life

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Bitter or Better?

I love this bitter or better quote from Josh Shipp, a youth speaker and teen advocate who helps adults understand teens, and teens understand themselves.

“You either get bitter, or you get better.

It’s that simple.

You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down.

The choice does not belong to fate; it belongs to you.”

Bitter or Better Quote – Josh Shipp

: Will you be bitter or better? Image Credit The Mind Unleashed Quotes

Is It Your Choice?

Excellent food for thought, to get bitter or better.

Does the choice belong to you?

What do you think?

Do you agree or not, and why?

“Josh Shipp had a traumatic childhood.

He was abandoned at birth, thrown into many different foster homes.

Abused, Addicted, and Suicidal.

Josh knows what it means to be an at-risk kid.” ¹

Whether you are an at-risk kid or an adult facing challenges in your life, how do you move forward?

Listen to Josh’s turning point and note that nothing changed, other than his thoughts.

His life changed the moment he began to believe that he did have potential.

The Turning Point In A Troubled Foster Kid’s Life – Josh Shipp

Life is a Test

Every situation in life appears to be a test, a challenge.

Wealth, on the one hand, poverty on the other.

Health or disease.

Close family relationships or estrangements.

Every moment that you face a ‘problem’ can also be an opportunity to build a virtual castle.

For example, you can get stuck in that one room of depression, despair, and defeat.

Or you can close that door, be aware of the test, the challenge, and choose to build a better life, not a more bitter life.

Why is that such a big deal?

Because the truth is that there is very little else that you control in your life, other than your choices.

Dewey Bozella Faces Bitter or Better and Succeeds

What Do You Control?

When was the last time that you could control your heart to beat or not, your lungs to breathe or not, your blood to flow or not, your cells to communicate or not?

When was the last time that you could control what others do, say or think?

Or the last time you could control just about anything in this world, even within your own body?

You have a very narrow window of control.

Even many of the thoughts that pop up in your head day and night, just pop up, and then you have to choose how to respond.

You can control your body movement and what your actions are.

And you can control what you say, and what you think.

That is why your choices, specifically in the face of problems, have so much opportunity for personal greatness.

Never Give Up – How Are You Living? Dr. Rick Grisby

Only Millionaires Can be Great?

Is it fair if the only people who are significant in the world are billionaires and celebrities?

Not to take away from their accomplishments, but is it fair if only money and fame equal greatness?

You can be great because every person has an equal opportunity in how they respond to the situations in life, to the choice of bitter or better, especially in those situations that cause pain.

You have the choice to become more bitter or to see your problem as an opportunity to become a better person.

And if you do build your inner strength and character, that is the personal greatness that is available to everyone.

So, no matter what, don’t give up; instead, keep pushing ahead to fulfill your potential.

When the choice is bitter or better, choose better.

UCF LB Shaquem Griffin Highlights

Bitter or Better – Final Thoughts

Some people face adversity that are household names, and many who are not.

For example, you are probably familiar with Shaquem Griffin, an NFL linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks.

Becoming a pro football player is not that common, especially in Shaquem’s situation, because he only has one hand.

But, you are probably not as familiar with Dewey Bozella, who spent decades in prison for a crime he did not commit, and finally walked out a free man because he never gave up.

Or a retired woman who had trouble getting up from a chair and walking up the stairs, yet she started to deadlift at the age of 75.

Today, Shirley Webb, also known as HERcules, the powerlifting grandma, holds multiple world championships at the age of 82, including an astounding personal record deadlift of 265 pounds.

Watch 80-year-old Powerlifting Grandma deadlift 255 Pounds

One Common Thread

One common thread you find in many inspirational accounts of people overcoming adversity is this:

Physical exercise, whether it is running, boxing, powerlifting, or basketball, unites the body and mind to enable a person to overcome mental and physical challenges.

There is a good reason that the Roman poet Juvenal said in the first line in his listing of what you should desire in life, his work Satire X:

Orandum est ut sit Mens Sana in Corpore Sano, – You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Or as we like to say, A Strong Mind in a Strong Body.

Strengthening your body will help you meet the challenges you face, whether they are phantom fears or real, you can only gain when you make physical strength a priority.

Don’t wait till you’re 75, start:

Or get involved in any other sport of your choice today!

What’s Next

You might have a more physical type of challenge, like needing to lose 20 pounds.

Or you want to how to change your physique from fat to fit.

Or it could be more emotional like how to handle estrangement and fight depression.

Making the bitter into better is the most exceptional opportunity in the world that is available to all.

To use your free-will choice, your thoughts, and your actions.

To make your life better despite the bitter challenges you face.

Footnotes:

¹ Josh Shipp Keynote Speeches

Bitter or Better? A Quote That Can Change your Life