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# When you get stung by life
- URL: https://www.gilespcroft.com/when-you-get-stung-by-life/
- Published: 2020-01-27T07:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-03T10:50:56.000Z
- Description: You know when ‘bad’ stuff happens? Who says it's ‘bad’? 🐝
- Author: Giles P Croft
- Tags: Life change, Acceptance, Careers, Free will, Goals, Hafiz, Habit change, Medicine, Quick insight, Resilience, Stress, Wisdom, MECHANICS

Sh\*t happens. I mean, really – it's the truest of all clichés!

You have *no* control over what's going to show up in life and if you're going to get stung, you're going to get stung.

Some of the biggest ‘stings’ in my life—personally and professionally—have been a catalyst for something beautiful or magnificent to rise from the ashes.

Not immediately (stings hurt, baby!) but when I've looked back and reflected on the different path my life took, as a result, I've been glad of them.

So when I talk about the common steps in [career change](https://www.gilespcroft.com/tag/careers/), this one is #2 of 10:

⏰

****This is your wake up call.**

To react to these moments of being stung as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is like stopping the ride there and then and stating confidently,

> *“This is the way it is. It's ‘bad’ and it won't change.”*

It's ascribing meaning where there is none. It's pausing a film half way through and making a bunch of conclusions about what it all means.

And here's the thing.

Sometimes we get stung for good reason. There's wisdom in them there stings.

Because sometimes we've travelled so far down a path that's not right for us, it first becomes unpaved and then there's a massive pothole that we fall into.

No escaping a big change.

With hindsight, we could probably have seen this coming, but… well, we were in a bit of a hurry to get somewhere (and a bit in denial).

> *“It's ok, I'm wearing sturdy footwear, I can handle a bit of an uneven surface… agghhhhh!”*

⤵️🕳

So don't be surprised if you get stung. Or fall down a hole. Or end up hopelessly mixing your metaphors.

Just try not to read too much into it.

Whatever happens, life goes on, one moment at a time. And it's not your place to judge what shows up.

You're human. You've been built to survive and thrive, in *each* of these moments. Whatever form they take.

Who knows… that ‘sting’? It could be just the tonic you need.

💟

Giles

---

This post was inspired by a Hafiz poem I read today:

> **INTO YOUR UNDIES**

> *How long will you remain content* 
> *Just to hear and tell stories* 
> *of what happens beyond your horizons,*

> *Where the courageous had no choice* 
> *But to live their ideals* 
> *And imbibe effulgence's shape?*

> *Restlessness and a lack of peace* 
> *Can play a vital part* 
> *In your inner unfoldment.*

> *If you ever become too complacent,* 
> *Too accepting of your sorrow* 
> *Or shadow self*

> *The Moon might fling a beehive* 
> *Into your undies* 
> *And that should* 
> *Wake you up.*

> ***\~ Hafiz***

©️

"Into Your Undies" from **A Year with Hafiz*, Daniel Ladinsky, copyright 2011\. [www.danielladinsky.com](http://www.danielladinsky.com/?ref=gilespcroft.com). Printed with permission.