Coping vs. Thriving

A while ago I decided that in my life I want to thrive, not cope.

Since then I’ve been very sensitive to areas in my life where I’m coping.

I define coping as resorting to compulsory behavior in order to manage a situation. This can be at the level of an addiction but it can be as minuscule as a morning coffee. If the morning coffee is not being enjoyed but is an unconscious necessity to get out of bed, it’s coping.

In that case I ask myself the question: “What is it about the way my life is currently oriented, that I need this in order to cope?”

Sometimes a solution is easily accessible and coping can be replaced with thriving. In other cases, it requires real patience and dedication. It’s worth it.