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.
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe most happy and successful people on earth have a... Read More
I just heard the story of a man who hired... Read More
Would you like to be confident in the things you... Read More
I was a young girl aged 12, when the one... Read More
Almost everyone experiences some form of worry one time or... Read More
"Those people who think they can do something and those... Read More
"It really works!" "Well, I'll be?!"BJ like so many others... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
There is no such thing as failure ? only feedback... Read More
Say aloud:I AM. I AM Consciousness. I AM the creator... Read More
Recently, a lady came to see me and she had... Read More
Woe is me... life has dealt me a bad hand...... Read More
The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More
When I was a young man, even a teenager for... Read More
One of the most well known books ever written on... Read More
Do you ever feel sorry for yourself? Do you ever... Read More
A more positive future, a happier life, a body that's... Read More
Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
In order for you to make positive ground daily you... Read More
This is a technique that sounds a bit silly when... Read More
Let's say you're ready to change some aspect of your... Read More
I will never forget an evening in 2003, when I... Read More
Think for a moment about all of the signals people... Read More
When I teach private Yoga sessions, sometimes, I become aware... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..If you think you are a loser, you train or... Read More
1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design.... Read More
So...you might just believe I hide behind computers creating and... Read More
"Thinking is responsible for man's primacy on earth today. Existence... Read More
I was playing tennis today with one of my tennis... Read More
"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly... Read More
Want to improve your personal performance? Positive self-talk can help.Edward... Read More
So, is this really where you thought you'd be? You're... Read More
We have often missed the mark because we believe we... Read More
Fear is a double-edged sword. It can hold you back... Read More
In the international bestseller, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell explains how researchers... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
At your next staff meeting lead your team through the... Read More
For the twelve hundred hostages, most especially Timur Kasumova.It's a... Read More
Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind.... Read More
Near the end of December 2004, I received an email... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
" If you have faith as a grain of musterd... Read More
So people will reject us no matter how good we... Read More
The most dangerous thing is illusion. ~ Ralph Waldo EmersonFailure... Read More
For most of us our lives are a problem which... Read More
In my work as a professional coach, I've had the... Read More
Who are the Whiners? Whiners are the people who always... Read More
Recently, a lady came to see me and she had... Read More
Changing your mindset can have a significant impact on achieving... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |