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

move in cleaning service Mundelein ..
In The News:

Cybersecurity experts warn about one of the largest credential compilations ever found, urging users to check "Have I Been Pwned" and change passwords immediately.
Quick iPhone and Android battery optimization techniques help your device stay powered all day by turning off hidden features that secretly drain power in the background.
Kodiak Driver autonomous truck achieves perfect 98 safety score, matching top human fleets in groundbreaking AI evaluation by Nauto's VERA system.
New 401k catch-up contribution rules in 2026 will change taxes for high earners over 50. Learn how scammers exploit these changes and protect your retirement savings.
Kurt Knutsson's guide covers social media privacy protection through location settings, account privacy controls and two-factor authentication to prevent scams and data breaches.
Revolutionary retinal implant restores central vision in 80% of patients with advanced macular degeneration, offering hope where treatments once only slowed blindness.
Learn how to use passkeys on Windows and Mac computers without cameras or fingerprint readers. Discover secure authentication methods that replace passwords.
Tesla's FSD v14.1.2 update reintroduces Mad Max mode, enabling higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the standard Hurry profile setting.
A phishing email scam targeting American Express customers shows how cybercriminals use fake urgent messages to steal personal and financial information.
Facebook's new Meta AI feature analyzes your camera roll photos to create polished collages automatically, but requires cloud processing and raises privacy concerns.
A New Jersey teenager filed a major lawsuit against AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. over ClothOff, an AI tool that created fake nude images from her social media photos.
Microsoft reports Storm-2657 cybercriminals sent phishing emails to 6,000 addresses at 25 universities to steal payroll credentials and redirect funds.
Astronomers have discovered asteroid 2025 SC79, a skyscraper-sized space rock orbiting the sun in just 128 days. the second-fastest known.
The Fox News AI Newsletter delivers the latest developments form the world of artificial intelligence, including the technology's challenges and opportunities.
A cyberattack on SimonMed Imaging exposed personal information of 1.2 million patients, including medical records, financial details and identity papers.
Spotify's managed accounts for kids under 13 now available in at least seven countries, allowing parents to filter and block explicit content and songs.
Friendly text conversations about BBQs and social events can lead to WEEX gold trading scams that target older adults with fake investment opportunities.
California company Skyeports creates self-healing glass spheres from Moon regolith that generate solar power and support plant growth for sustainable lunar living.
Cleafy researchers discover fake VPN streaming app Mobdro Pro that installs Klopatra banking Trojan, giving attackers full control over Android devices.
Police departments across the U.S. and Canada are adopting virtual reality training to better prepare officers for high-pressure, real-world situations.
House Bill 469 would prevent AI systems from owning property, serving as executives, or gaining legal personhood in Ohio under Representative Thaddeus Claggett's proposal.
Public voter records expose retirees' personal details to election scammers who create targeted cons using names, addresses, and voting history data.
Instead of fearing what comes next with artificial intelligence, think outside the box. Here are high-earning AI jobs that don't require a computer science degree.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says polite words like "please" and "thank you" cost millions annually, while direct prompts may improve ChatGPT accuracy by several points.
Chattee Chat and GiMe Chat exposed intimate conversations and photos, revealing users spent up to $18,000 on AI companions before the breach.

Mastering Mindfulness: A Thinkers Ode to Meditation

I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More

The Power of Negative Thinking

For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More

Change Your Attitude from a Whiner to a Winner

Who are the Whiners? Whiners are the people who always... Read More

Creating Your Desires

Say aloud:I AM. I AM Consciousness. I AM the creator... Read More

Does Lack of Confidence Stop You?

Ever had the sense that there is more to life... Read More

How I Make And Save Thousands Of Dollars Using Only My Subconscious Mind-You Can Do The Same!

Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More

Changing Negatives to Positives

Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More

Whats On Your Shift List?

The most happy and successful people on earth have a... Read More

Heres Your Calm During The Storm Of Discouragement

Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More

My Attitudes

"If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing... Read More

Life Changing Attitude

Do you really believe that there is anything in this... Read More

All My Needs, Desires, and Goals are Met -- INSTANTANEOUSLY

I get emails and questions from people all the time... Read More

Teens And Positive Living

If you are a parent, it is up to you... Read More

Lessons From Anakin Skywalker: Making Better Choices Through Recognizing And Managing Our Fears

In the latest and final Star Wars saga, Anakin Skywalker... Read More

Fearing the Future: I am what I Fear!

When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More

Firewords: A Dangerous Necessity in Your Life?

There are many stories of people injuring themselves, and others,... Read More

How Gratitude Can Be Your Partner in Life

Gratitude is one of the most important things you can... Read More

How Our Thoughts Create Mental Bugs

Our thoughts define who we are. They can make us... Read More

Individualized Positive Affirmations for Improving Self-Esteem

Positive self-esteem is very important if not crucial to our... Read More

Stinking Thinking Makes Hope A Dope

Many centuries ago there was a Greek philosopher who lived... Read More

Positive Attitude is Not Enough

Contrary to the popular saying "attitude is everything" attittude is... Read More

Aging

Aging is a matter of the mind.The years may creep... Read More

Combat Your Bad Days

No matter how positive a person we are overall, there... Read More

Notable Thoughts on Positive Living

I went online -- and what do I see? A... Read More

You Gotta Be Positive!

Remember Des'ree? She had a great song out in 1994,... Read More

insured cleaning company Highland Park ..