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.
high-end home cleaning Des Plaines ..Have you ever noticed what can happen if you just... Read More
Speaking comes to most people as naturally as breathing. On... Read More
This week I happened to catch a few minutes of... Read More
Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed every Day by Self and... Read More
I have a 440-page guide on how to simplify my... Read More
You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More
From Making the Big Move: how to transform relocation into... Read More
Know thyself.These words were inscribed in the vestibule of the... Read More
Keep focusing on the fullness of your life: Keep remembering... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
In the latest and final Star Wars saga, Anakin Skywalker... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
There are times that we encounter fearful thoughts that can... Read More
"Putting ourselves down, is an insult to our worth." --Helen... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
In speaking of comparison we need to be aware that... Read More
Discover how easy it is to improve your relationships. The... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
How do you explain things to yourself? With positive self... Read More
Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More
It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More
Your ability to forgive those who have hurt you in... Read More
Living without limits. Living your life to the fullest. Living... Read More
Well you know about the young hero who saved his... Read More
Have you ever read that you should think positively when... Read More
house refresh service Glencoe .."Putting ourselves down, is an insult to our worth." --Helen... Read More
In view of the increasing negative events happening around the... Read More
Most of what we've been taught about how to be... Read More
There was some sunshine this weekend while I was writing... Read More
For most of us our lives are a problem which... Read More
Have you ever thought about you have a lot to... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
We all know there are ways to become a better... Read More
This is a technique that sounds a bit silly when... Read More
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is... Read More
It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More
So people will reject us no matter how good we... Read More
The language we use programs our brains. Mastering our language... Read More
Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More
Does that title make you cringe? It made me cringe... Read More
Philosophy of Forgiveness:The most powerful tool that human beings possess... Read More
An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More
I get emails and questions from people all the time... Read More
Most of us carry on a running internal dialogue at... Read More
The other day one of my "challenging clients" and I... Read More
Satisfaction 100% guaranteed or your money back! That was the... Read More
(The following is an actual email conversation between Newton Hightower,... Read More
It has been said that CHANGE is THE only constant.... Read More
Changing your mindset can have a significant impact on achieving... Read More
A confidence crisis is looming with a recent study showing... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |