When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left

Or any other direction

5.9k
When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left
tumblr.com

This is an all too common phrase. You probably hear it at least once a week - if you are anything like me, once a day. But what does it actually mean? To some, it's a simple saying that they don't really pay attention to when someone says it. To others, there is a deeper meaning.

This week I have found a deeper meaning in this little phrase. It was through trials, tears, and stress that I was able to find peace of mind with this quote. Sometimes life just does not go your way. One thing after another happens and before you know it, you are sitting in your car crying because there was a car accident and you cannot get into your neighborhood. Sounds selfish right? Oh, it is. This is where the phrase comes into play: When nothing goes right, go left. To me, it's a simple way of encouraging you to change the way you think.

The night I realized this was the night I cried in my car. Before that happened, my car was returned to my possession but waiting at the dealer to get my car took a small eternity. Impatience starting running over me because I wanted my car, I wanted to get home, and I wanted to get all my work done. Finally, I got my car and was on my merry way...until I got to my neighborhood - there was a car accident blocking everything. I could not get in and it was then that I started crying. It was also then that I wiped my tears and thought to myself, "why am I crying when someone is out there fighting for their life...my only problem is that I can't get into my neighborhood." That's when my thinking began to change.

Most of the time, people only think about themselves. A couple weeks ago an amber alert came on my phone at 12 o'clock in the morning and it frightened me. After I saw it, I sent up a quick prayer for the family and returned to bed. The next morning, I looked on Twitter and people were complaining that they lost sleep while someone was out there trying to find their child. That is where our thinking needs to change. We need to quit being selfish and we need to see the positive in the negative.

This does not happen overnight. Yet if you honestly try and take a negative situation and make it positive, everything around you starts to change. If you wake up late and barely make it to work on time, at least you have a job. If your car runs out of gas or blows a tire, at least you have a car to drive. If someone steals something from you, maybe it's a sign that something better is on its way. When you lose a friendship or any relationship; they no longer added value to your life.

If you take anything away from this, I hope you learn to see the positive in the negative. We are only human - life tends to hit us hard and at the worst times, but if you change your thinking you can change your life.

If nothing goes right, go left.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

76282
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

6751
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments