Changing Stumbling Blocks To Stepping Stones?

"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how you use them." - Unknown

It is not really what happens to us that matter but how we react to it. Do you agree with me? Someone once said, 10% of life is what happens to you and 90% the way you react to it.

Stumbling blocks are bound to come on our way to our destiny. But our ability to convert such stumbling blocks to stepping-stones will differentiate the successful from the unsuccessful. Whatever happens to us in our quest to attain success is not new, it has once happened to someone before, but what will differentiate you from others is your reaction to it. Someone was once raped and abused; someone once failed and someone was once disappointed, yet someone came out stronger and better.

Stumbling blocks come in form of problems, failures, trials, tribulations, disappointments, and setbacks. If these situations are not adequately managed, they tend to stand on our way to destiny and act as a garrison demarcating us from our success. On the other hand, if these circumstances are properly managed, they act as stepping-stones, which when stepped on will take us closer to our destiny.

Resolve today to turn all stumbling blocks to stepping-stones. While stumbling blocks are caterpillars, stepping-stones are pillars.

Napoleon Hill, author and writer, asserted in his best-selling book Think and grow rich that 'every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage'. What the author is invariably saying is that there is an advantage in every adversity that comes our way. There is a stepping-stone in every stumbling block we experience. There is a gain in every pain we go through.

That you failed a test does not mean you should never attempt it again. In fact, failing the examination is not the exact failure, but your inability to try again. Stumbling blocks stop us from moving ahead, but the moment we turn them to stepping-stones, they take us closer to our destination.

After series of failures, disappointments and unfavourable situations, Ralph Naldo Emerson concluded that 'our greatest glory is not in failing, but in rising up every time we fail.' 'Failing' in this context is a stumbling block, but if we sit on the fact that we fell and refuse to rise again, it then remains a stumbling block. Conversely, if we are able to change our approach and reactions to such failures, it automatically becomes a stepping-stone.

Lots of events and situations find their ways into our lives each and every day, and one thing I have realised is each one of those situations can either be good or bad for us. In the coming days, months, and years, you will have the opportunity to interpret and react to many different people and situations. What then will guarantee that those opportunities are stepping-stones rather than stumbling blocks? I believe the outcome is dependent upon the choices we make. Will I be an optimist or a pessimist? Will I work to make this productive or destructive? Will I do what is right or will I do what is wrong? These are all choices we face. Often our decision is spur of the moment, yet that will determine whether we step forward or move backward.

Do you have a person or situation right now that could go either way? Make these choices today. Choose to be an optimist. Choose to make it productive. Choose to do what is right. As you do, you will find a stepping-stone to greatness rather than a stumbling block on your road to success.

When I came to live in England in 1996, I was shocked to discover that a fraudster had already stolen my birth certificate and used it to obtain a National Insurance number and credit cards and even opened a bank account. The person even got married in my name. Everywhere I went, I was told somebody was using my identity. At this point, the authorities could not identify the real 'Dayo Olomu.' I reached a stage where I wanted to give up and cry, raise the white flag of surrender and admit I couldn't go on. I reached such a depth I never knew existed. It was one of the greatest obstacles and setbacks I had to face as it nearly destroyed my goal; however, I was resolute not to loose focus. I returned to college and pursued my goals. Today the rest is history!

I see every setback as an opportunity for growth. When you loose, you learn and then go on to win next time.

Dayo Olomu is a UK-based Motivational Speaker, Writer, Business/Life Coach, Trainer, Media Entrepreneur and Competent Toastmaster. His core belief is that we are all endowed with seeds of greatness, and his mission is to help individuals and organisations achieve their full potentials. He is the author of best selling "4 Indispensable Strategies for Success" and the President of Croydon Communicators Toastmasters. Get his FREE monthly Rise to the Top ezine by sending a blank email to subscribe@dayoolomu.com or visit his website at: subscribe@dayoolomu.com

maide service in Lincolnshire ..
In The News:

Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.
Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.
Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.
Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.
Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.
The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.
Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.
Unlock richer audio from your streaming apps with simple tweaks to volume normalization, equalizer settings, and quality preferences for cleaner sound.
Scammers are sending fake Facebook settlement payout emails that mimic legitimate notices from the privacy settlement administrator to deceive users.
Holiday shopping scams surge as fake refund emails target distracted consumers during Black Friday and holiday seasons, costing Americans billions annually.
The AI-powered IRMO M1 exoskeleton features four modes, including turbo, eco, training and rest for hiking, running, cycling and sports with eight-hour battery life.
OpenAI announced upgrades for its ChatGPT Images platform on Tuesday, saying the program can now make more precise edits and produce images more quickly.
Chrome for Android now turns web articles into AI-powered podcast conversations. Get hands-free browsing with Google Gemini's natural audio summaries.
LastPass faces $1.6 million fine from U.K. regulators after 2022 data breach exposed 1.6 million users. Password manager failed proper security controls.
Petco disclosed a data breach exposing customer Social Security numbers, financial account details, and driver's license information due to a software error.
Baseball teams can now analyze complete swing mechanics in normal training environments using Theia's markerless AI system that processes standard high-speed footage.
Smart home hacking fears overblown? Expert reveals real cybersecurity risks and simple protection tips to keep your connected devices safe from hackers.
MIT develops needle-free glucose monitor using light technology. Revolutionary device could replace painful finger pricks for diabetes management.
The ClickFix campaign disguises malware as legitimate Windows updates, using steganography to hide shellcode in PNG files and bypass security detection systems.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University designed a 21-foot dome that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a self-sustaining urban food system.

10 Passion Principles to Creating the Rest of Your Life

1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design.... Read More

Growing Optimistically

Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More

How You Doing? The Answer is Up to You and It Will Make Your Day Great If You Answer Correctly!

How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More

Affirmations for Success + Music = Pow!

Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More

What Should You Be Committed To?

There are many dynamics that go into making a great... Read More

A Negative Experience an Opportunity?

Early in my career a position became available which I... Read More

Be Selfish and Save The World

Why do we help others? There is a whole lot... Read More

Banish Shallow Breathing And Boost Self Esteem!

You know, very often, the manner in which a person... Read More

Important Days Ahead

Humans tend to categorize things by large or small, bright... Read More

Life Is Not Always Fair

I once heard the story of a grown bear that... Read More

Embrace Change

We all have a unique way of communicating our story,... Read More

Discovering Opportunity in Times of Challenge

You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More

Passion To Succeed

"Spiritual Intelligence" (SI) is the ability of a person to... Read More

How Do You Habitually Treat Yourself?

In order to learn how to relieve ourselves of self-defeating... Read More

Management of the Almighty Anger

Apart form the Emotions and the attitude, Anger is a... Read More

Change Your Perception and Your World Will Change!

IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More

How to Experience Life as a Thrilling Adventure

"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side... Read More

What You Can Do As A Non-Raging Mate To Either Fix The Relationship Or Forget It

(The following is an actual email conversation between Newton Hightower,... Read More

Universal Thought Systems Language #3

Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More

Anamchara - Beyond Positive Thinking

One of the most well known books ever written on... Read More

Gratitude: the ICE that Fills Your Half Empty Glass!

Are you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly?... Read More

Acceptance as a Path to Inner Peace

Inevitably in life we will face disappointment from time to... Read More

Never Quitting is an Attitude

Never Quitting Equals Success Most people who achieve fortunes in... Read More

How To Radically Improve Your Everyday Experience Of Life In Two Simple Steps

Can you do something for me?Tell me?Please don't think tomorrow.What?Yeah,... Read More

Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life - Books to Help You Find the PMA Inside You

Many of the books on this page were inspired by... Read More

cleaning lady near Deerfield ..