Disappointment.

One of our close, brutal friends.

It comes in many forms and sizes.

Perhaps it takes the small shape of the soda machine being out of your drink of choice, or perhaps it's much larger and takes the form of a bad test result that has a significant impact on your overall grade, or it's a rejection of some sort.

Disappointments are upsetting, to say the least, and the unfortunate fact is that they are inevitable. The time and place that they just so happen to creep into our lives is not something that we can control.

Not being able to be in control of unavoidable disappointments is extremely frustrating, especially if you're a control freak, like yours truly over here.

We can't control the existence and timing of disappointment; however, we can control how we respond when we are faced with disappointment.

When we come across a disappointing situation, we can choose to become distraught or empowered.

We could act as though the issue will end our existence, or we could choose to use our disappointment as fuel to press on.

It seems trite and overly positive to state that we can find the good in every situation and that we should "keep calm and carry on," but what else can we do? Surely, losing our minds when things distress us won't resolve any issues.

We can absolutely be hurt by disappointing situations initially: think about the problem and cry about it for a little bit if you must, but there comes a point where we must move on. Focusing on the negative and the disappointing action does nothing but emphasize it and make it more of a reality. Thus, we should strive to focus on the positive that underlies each disappointing situation because there truly is good or a lesson to be learned behind each disappointment.

Perhaps the rejection from the job or school was to move you towards a better offer.

The failed test was possibly to show you how you should be studying for the final.

And maybe, just maybe, the soda machine being out of your usual drink was to direct you towards trying a new, different drink that's even better (or it's a sign that you should be drinking more water instead).

So embrace disappointments with a brave face rather than an attitude of fear and despair because behind every disappointment is a valuable lesson.