This was such a powerful question I had to write a short article about!
How many times have we been utterly deflated by life, angry and maladjusted?
I know I have been more times than I care count. And yet, this idea is undeniable is some way. My struggles have prepared me for things I have asked for. Things I have prayed for. Things I have wanted desperately, sometimes for decades.
A short list; meaningful relationships, being an entrepreneur, and putting health as a focus of my life.
All I had to go through was: toxic relationships, dead end jobs, and 3 major health crises in 10 years! Sounds awful right? But it's precisely these negative moments that have paved the way and I my deep appreciation for what I have now.
3 Tips On How To Appreciate Challenges
Don't get me wrong, things going wrong still bother somewhat. But the difference between being ruffled and despair is gigantic. Save the despair for deep tragedy, not mere inconveniences.
Hurt Can Be Temporary - Barring a chronic acute pain condition, things feel differently after a while. Even without a ton of effort on our part. Wounds of loss are profound and shape our lives, truly. And the effects of hurt can last many moons. But emotional pain does not have to go on unabated. You can choose to feel differently. You can incorporate activities and life style changes to mitigate the pain of loss.
Recognize What You Can Control - Random accidents, health crises, the foul mood of a stranger or family members, a bombed presentation and literally hundreds of other things can go wrong. What we can control (within reason) are our responses. We don't have to lash out, yell, fall into intense self judgement, criticize others, etc. We can recognize the world around us doesn't always give us hugs. It sometimes gives knocks. We don't control when those knocks come. But we can control how we let those knocks influence our life, now and in the future.
Challenges Are Not Meant To Break You - Life is rough!! I know. The pain we feel sometimes can be so overwhelming, we feel like we can't breathe. Regardless of your spiritual disposition or lack thereof, life IS an ongoing cycle of highs and lows. None are immune to this dynamic. Nature can be cruel, but we are meant to live and survive. And as higher consciousness beings, we can choose a third parameter - thriving. Challenges are to grow you, step out your comfort zone and learn about the whole of existence. This does not have to be a breaking process, but a stretching. Accept the cycle of up and down and remain flexible for the process.
The common theme here with these tips is that: you choose. You have many choices and it is precisely these choices that can be molded into the life of your desires. What we experience can prep us for dreams fulfilled, but we've got to remain adaptable, let go of bitterness, and embrace the pain of existence.
When we embrace those things, challenges become opportunities. I won't lie, it can be an ugly process sometimes. But beauty resides just on the other side. Much love and growth on your journey!
Namaste
Santee Blakey is a Life Coach and Licensed Massage Therapist at Soul Growth Wellness. When she's not biking, reading, or biking, or reading (she needs new hobbies, suggest her some:-), she'll be writing and enjoying a caramel frappacino in her favorite Starbucks (this is obviously pre-Covid) *sigh*. Follow her on Youtube for her series --> Self Acceptance: What It's Really Like (A Journey).
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