#61: Challenges as growth inducers

Trials, tribulations, difficulties, and problems—life’s stressors. We all must deal with challenging situations and people, which includes that person in the mirror. However, another way to look at it is that the amount of stress we feel has more to do with how we relate to our challenges and problems than it does with the actual problems themselves. In other words, how much of a problem do we make our problems? When we accept some of these challenges as an inevitable part of life, when we view them as potential teachers, coaches, and fortifiers, it can feel as if a weight is lifted from our shoulders. Try a mental exercise of imagining yourself holding the problem near to your heart. Ask yourself what valuable lesson this challenge might be able to teach you or how it might be a source of renewal in terms of overall mindset. Could it be coaching you to be more careful or patient, humbler, and more empathetic toward others? Does it have anything to do with certain things you might need to address (we all do!) such as greed, envy, recklessness, or extending mercy and forgiveness? Whatever problems you are dealing with, chances are they could be thought of in a softer way that includes a genuine desire to learn and grow from them. When you hold your problems in this light, they soften like a clenched fist that is opening. How inspiring are the stories of those who rise from the ashes to then go and do marvelous things for themselves and others, or someone's genuine expression of inner strength such as enduring unthinkable suffering and injustice only to extend mercy and forgiveness. You and me have the privilege and honor of playing that role, that example of one who suffers well and shines brightest when things seem darkest. Glorious, isn't?  _________________________________________________________  Attributions:  "Endless Ether" from the album "infinite(i)" by fantompower.  https://soundcloud.com/fantompower/  https://fantompower.bandcamp.com/