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Tough Times Never Last, But Strong People Do

The incredible concert I recently attended by Ladysmith Black Mambazo sparked the inspiration for this month’s newsletter. Whether you’re facing challenges at work, navigating a job search, dealing with personal struggles, or feeling the weight of world events, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. One of their songs, “Tough Times Never Last, But Strong People Do,” offers a powerful reminder: even in the hardest moments, we can endure.

Strength can be built and sustained—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Our mindset can either deepen the struggle or help guide us through it. And importantly, how we respond to difficult times not only shapes our own experience, but also influences those around us.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo rose to prominence during South Africa’s apartheid era, offering a message of hope, unity, and peaceful resilience through their music. Their influence reached even into prison cells—after his release in 1990, Nelson Mandela shared that their songs had been a source of strength and a symbol of peace during his imprisonment. In a powerful gesture of respect, when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, Mandela invited the group to join him at the ceremony—underscoring the profound impact of their message during one of history’s most difficult periods.

Tough times are an inevitable part of life’s cycles—and part of the human experience. How we respond to them is ultimately our choice. Stay strong, stay grounded, and hold on to hope.

Click to hear Tough Times Never Last, But Strong People Do

Photo credit and link: Joe Mabel, Flickr via Creative Commons

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Endurance: Book Excerpt

Below is an excerpt from my book to help people cope with the emotional roller coaster of the job search. Please share this and the link to complimentary excerpts which is after the reading. A great graduation gift of support!

“It really is an endurance race.”

-Henry Ford

A job search can take longer than you expect. Endurance is the ability to sustain a stressful effort. Since you don’t know how long your job search will take, it’s good to proactively build endurance like an athlete. Even if you are well into your search, there are practices and exercises to do to increase your mental stamina.

Consistency is the key in any performance training. Besides a routine of job search activities, create a routine of emotional self-care practices. Consider a morning warm-up such as an affirmation or prayer upon waking. Cool down your day with a gratitude list, meditation, or inspirational reading. Stay disciplined through the day by monitoring your thoughts to counter negativity. Develop patience with yourself and others. Like athletes, create a proactive plan to counter setbacks, like job rejections, so you don’t spiral down. Techniques to re-center could be saying a phrase like, “All will be well,” playing a song like, “I Will Survive,” or doing 30 seconds of slow, deep breathing.

You have or can develop what you need to endure and succeed. Rather than passive suffering through hardship, take proactive steps to increase your endurance.

Affirmation: I will take steps to sustain myself in the job search.

Share this link for a complimentary gift of ten excerpts: https://karenscareercoaching.com/help-wanted-free-excerpts

More info and to purchase a signed copy: https://karenscareercoaching.com/help-wanted/

Business Etiquette, Inspiration, News, Newsletter

Love in Life and Work + Buddhist Monk Words

Beyond finding a job that you love, how can you bring love in the broadest sense to your current workplace or life? Practical advice comes from a Corinthians reading in the Bible where we are reminded that love is patient and kind, trusts and hopes; it is not boastful, easily angered or a record-keeper of wrongs. I was inspired this Valentine’s Day to share a bit about love after hearing the address at the end of the Buddhist “Walk for Peace” which concluded this week after a 109-day, 2300-mile journey that began in Texas.

The leader, Bhikkhu Pannakara, invited us make a difference with five seconds of mindfulness. He then shared insights for each of five attributes: Kindness, Compassion, Love, Harmony, and Hope. If you would like to hear this five-minute section of the address, CLICK HERE, and go to the 7 minute and 30 second point.

Here are the Buddhist words shared on Love:

Choose Love.

Love means children grow up safe.

Love means elders live with dignity.

Love means we do not turn away when someone is in pain.

Start with truly loving yourself. Start with that.

Love the person in front of you whether you know them or not.

That is how love creates a more loving world.

As a career counselor, I will share insights inspired by the Corinthians reading above. Love at work can mean….

…being patient with colleagues who make mistakes or are having a bad day

…speaking with kindness to all with whom you interact

…trusting those you supervise and not micromanaging

…having a positive attitude of hope rather than negativity

…not boasting of accomplishments and remembering to give others credit for ideas

…keeping anger in check and communicating respectfully about concerns

…addressing then letting go of past issues rather than keeping records in your mind

The Buddhist monk concluded that by our individual acts of love, kindness, compassion, harmony and hope, we can create peace and change for one person, one family, one community, one country and the world. And I will add: one workplace.

Call: 412-977-4029 • Email: Karen@KarensCareerCoaching.com

Endurance: Book Excerpt

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