Are you a person who loves challenges, or hates them? I must admit I've spent most of my life as a person who hates them. I've always thought of challenges as frustrating, maddening obstacles keeping me from where I want to be. I even used to take them personally, feeling like the universe must hate me and like to see me struggle. ;-)
As I grow older and (hopefully) wiser -- I find my competitive nature rising up to meet these challenges, and I'm learning to see them differently. Most of us know that great rewards require great sacrifice and effort. You know the old saying that nothing worthwhile comes easy? In a sense that's true. If everything we wanted was handed to us, we probably wouldn't have alot of appreciation for it. On the other hand, when we work hard for something and then see it manifest before our eyes, we get such a powerful sense of pride and accomplishment. We can point to it and say, "I did that. It was tough, but I did it anyway."
Challenges are truly opportunities. Opportunities to grow and learn, to strengthen ourselves, to test ourselves and our faith. They reveal how badly we want to create the dreams in our hearts, and how hard we're willing to work for them. This is such a blessing. It may not seem that way at first, but with a tiny shift in attitude, we can see that we have been handed an incredible opportunity.
The next time life hands you a challenge, stop and consider for a moment what it means. Is the universe saying "no," or "I want you to try harder?" Don't look at challenges as an end, look at them as a door leading to your heart's desires. That door might be locked, but you have the key. Maybe you forgot where you put the key, or you forgot that you even had it to begin with. It might take some effort and patience to find it again -- or you might even have to create a new one, but believe that you will, even if you're not sure how yet.
I'm learning that it's not important to have all the answers right now. When challenges rise up before us, we may not know how to get around them, or through them. It might seem hopeless at first. Challenges can seem so overwhelming when we don't have a solution. However, life itself is very much like this too. Sometimes life is akin to bumping around in a dark room, trying to find the light switch. It is possible to get through the room without finding the light switch immediately, we just need to step slowly and carefully. Moment to moment, we find our way.
Rather than giving up when obstacles appear in your path, look at them as welcome challenges. The biggest challenge is choosing your own attitude. Will you get flustered and angry, or will you get excited and determined? Will you lay down and cry, or will you roll up your sleeves and get to work? Some of us take on a victim mentality when obstacles arise, and I can see why this happens. It does feel like the universe is picking on us, doesn't it? :-) I think we've all been there!
Why not change your mindset and think of obstacles as a personal challenge? Rather than feeling like the universe is picking on you, challenge yourself to figure out a solution. Say to yourself, "Okay, such and such has happened, now what am I going to do about it?" Put your problem-solving skills to work.
Once we begin to change our attitude about obstacles and challenges, they can actually become fun. Our competitive human nature rises up and gets ready to win, no matter what. We develop a steely determination to NOT be beaten.
In fact, I like to pretend there is a great critic in the sky who laughs mockingly at me and says, "You can't do that." I simply grin wickedly, roll up my sleeves and say, "Watch me!"
Wendy Betterini is an inspirational writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.wingsfortheheart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.
maide service in Lincolnshire ..Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
Have you truly tried and still failed? Have you pushed... Read More
Emotions are controlled by a combination of reason and action.... Read More
In view of the increasing negative events happening around the... Read More
Look at this glass on the table in front of... Read More
An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More
For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More
If you think you are a loser, you train or... Read More
Part 1Recently, in a women's therapy group that I run,... Read More
Humans tend to categorize things by large or small, bright... Read More
We all know there are ways to become a better... Read More
? If it takes me to periphery (Drifted into continuous... Read More
An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More
I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother... Read More
Conflict is unavoidable. How we respond to it makes a... Read More
"Every prayer - every thought, every statement, every feeling -is... Read More
Once we understand the difference our attitude makes in our... Read More
Your response (reaction?) to change is conditioned by your entire... Read More
Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More
My story explains the struggles I had as a 23-year-old... Read More
You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More
It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More
Attitude, has a way of preening itself, often without awareness... Read More
The other day I bought an unusual piece of software:... Read More
Thinkers know better than to be racist. It's generally understood... Read More
cleaning lady near Deerfield ..Our thoughts define who we are. They can make us... Read More
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
Never used 'em. Not likely to start now.OK, so I... Read More
Decades ago, I saw a metaphysical movie that wonderfully illustrates... Read More
So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current... Read More
No, not that kind.Power and potential are synonymous. Your ultimate... Read More
? If it takes me to periphery (Drifted into continuous... Read More
Lately, there has been a collective challenge to avoid being... Read More
Do you ever feel sorry for yourself? Do you ever... Read More
Yea, I know........I hear you saying "that's easy for you... Read More
With the probable exception of some basic instincts ? or... Read More
IntroductionDid your boss, took you for a ride? Did your... Read More
Can you really plan a life-changing experience, or do they... Read More
I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother... Read More
IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More
I have had many confidence issues in my life, all... Read More
Most of us start the day like we're trying to... Read More
"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly... Read More
It is widely believed that just anybody has the intrinsic... Read More
Early in my career a position became available which I... Read More
HOW YOUR OUTLOOK INFLUENCES HEALTH AND ABILITY TO CONTROL ANGERJane... Read More
Did you know that the 911 equivalent in the UK... Read More
Empty, Hollow, Nothing?.those words shout the sound of disappointment and... Read More
It sounds a little masochistic, but I actually appreciate being... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |