Archive | Challenge RSS feed for this section

Stronger

1 Dec

When we’re going through difficult challenges and trying to find our way through, we try hard to work things out. It’s not easy to face severe situations and if the answers don’t come quickly and the road forward is long and hard, we may tire of the struggle and feel like giving up. We may feel we need to be stronger than we are, but gaining personal strength isn’t very different from gaining physical strength. If we want to be physically strong we must push ourselves to do more. Giving more when our energy is fading isn’t easy but our greatest growth comes when we challenge ourselves to go further. When we’re tired and have to dig deep to continue, we are rewarded with greater physical endurance and ability. The same is true in our personal lives. When we feel we can’t do any more but are determined to push forward one more time, we become stronger and oftentimes wiser. There is great blessing in adversity. Nobody wants to suffer but bad times will inevitably come to us all. How we manage them and endure will determine how much growth we realize. The more we overcome, the more we learn. Life can be complicated and unpredictable, and nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. No matter what comes we have everything we need to not only endure, but succeed. We can find strength by doing whatever is needed to solve any problem we face. Determining to push forward until we complete the journey will bring satisfaction. We are competent and capable, and there isn’t anything we can’t do. We can be confident even when everything looks bleak, that we will win.

We may choose to give up and run every time there is trouble on the horizon. We can try to avoid conflict whenever possible and refuse to engage when someone disagrees. But hiding from problems will never give us the skills we need to solve them. We don’t live in Nirvana and we will have conflict from time to time. We are smart enough to understand how to move through it when we need to, and find the answers necessary to manage it effectively.

Life is full of challenges and we interact with many kinds of people on a regular basis. No two people are exactly alike and differences will naturally occur. We can take each situation independently, look at it objectively, and find the right way forward to bring harmony. Learning to compromise, learning to listen, and determining to find common ground will help us. Each situation will teach us something new and we carry that information forward to help us in the future. There is a lot we can learn when things go wrong. If we stay the course and learn the lessons well we will become stronger and more effective. There is much to be gained through difficult times. With patience and grace, we will gain everything we need to find success and happiness.

Today if you’re struggling with a problem and feel exhausted trying to find the way through, dig deep and try one more time. All the answers are there for you. Open another door, listen more carefully, and let the resolution come. You are amazing and capable, and this trial will bring you greater strength and wisdom. Be confident. You will succeed.

Tags: , ,

Set the Hook

8 Nov

We have all kinds of dreams and desires we want to accomplish.  We may spend time planning for them and pondering our steps forward.  When there is something we really want it may constantly encompass our thoughts.  Our desire and determination to achieve the goal may be strong and we may work diligently to move forward.  But sometimes things happen that stop us on our journey.  For instance, someone offers us a big slice of chocolate cake when we’re trying to lose weight.  Or there is a sale with incredible prices for things we desire when we’re trying to save money.  No matter what we want to accomplish there will always be something to distract us and take us from our focus.  If we go fishing and a big fish swallows our hook we may be excited about bringing it in and enjoying a feast.  Landing a big fish often involves some wrestling and a tug of war.  If we fail to set the hook, when we struggle to bring it in the fish may simply spit out the hook and all our effort will be for nothing.  Setting the hook ensures it is secure and unmovable.  The same thing is true for our plans and desires.  We must establish them so completely in our minds they are unmovable.  If our focus is solid and anchored, nothing will deter us.  We can do anything and go anywhere but we must desire the goal enough to set the hook and stand firm.  We have all the strength and wisdom to accomplish anything we desire.  We can choose our way forward and keep true on the path until we reach our destination.

When we share our goals and dreams with others it’s great when they support us and cheer us on, but we might have times when others work against us.  If we’re trying to do something they don’t like they may say and do things to discourage us.  If they doubt our ability to succeed they may suggest reasons to quit or tell us we’ll never win.  Everyone is entitled to their opinions and they may differ from ours.  We can listen to their comments and if they don’t agree with our plans, we can let them go.  We don’t need permission to design our own lives.  We are in control of what we do and can choose anything we like.

No road is clear and paved from beginning to end.  We may face detours, turns that take us in the wrong direction, and muddy areas where we get confused and unsure about the way forward.  Fog may roll in that obscures our vision and makes it hard to find the next mile.  If we are determined and patient, and take the time we need to plan each step, we will succeed.  Every destination is there for us.  There isn’t anything too difficult or challenging, and we can accomplish every goal we desire.  We can keep our eyes focused on the road ahead and continue forward with confidence.  Step by step we’ll move closer to the prize and find success.

Today, think about the goals you want to achieve.  Make a plan and begin your journey forward.  It doesn’t matter how far away they are or how long it may take.  Set your hook and take the first step.  You can do anything.  All your dreams can come true.  Begin today.  The whole world is there for you and you may have it.

Tags: , ,

Courage

7 Nov

Everyone has times in their lives that shake their security and make them feel unsure. We all go through experiences that are difficult and frightening and we may feel concerned we won’t be able to endure the challenge. If we must face something that takes away our safety and calm, and the situation is daunting and overwhelming, we may believe it’s beyond what we can manage. We may be afraid as we struggle to stand firm. Fear is an important emotion. It warns us and tells us to be alert to what is going on. It’s a survival mechanism that makes us aware and keeps us focused. But fear is also a tool we can use to understand where we are more clearly and show us the way forward. If we look at it objectively and control our response to it we can see the situation accurately and turn it into courage. Courage is merely strength in the face of danger or uncertainty. When we feel afraid we can step back for a moment, look at the entire situation openly and then stand strong knowing we will overcome whatever is ahead. Even if we aren’t sure exactly how we will proceed our courage will direct us and help us move forward. We realize how strong we are when we face extreme challenges. We have perfect courage within us and can pull it forward to navigate the most difficult problems we face. It’s always there. We need only reach for it. Everything is possible and there isn’t anything we can’t do. Trusting our abilities and being confident will help us access everything we need to overcome anything before us. We are strong and capable, and nothing will hold us in place.

When we are surprised by difficult developments that knock the wind out of us we may lose our footing for a moment. If the problem is extreme and complex, we may be breathless trying to figure out what is happening and how to get through. We may not be able to see the whole situation at first but if we give ourselves time to think and step back for a moment we will understand everything that’s happening. Once we see the problem clearly, no matter how bad things are, we will find a way through.

If we believe we don’t have the strength or courage to face an issue, we may talk ourselves into failure. However, we always have everything we need to face anything we must. It may be more than we want to face, it may require us to do things we are uncomfortable with, and it may take more time than we want to spend. But every solution is available if we are determined to find it. There is always another door to open and the answers are there. We can be confident and sure we will prevail. We can do anything we must and succeed.

Today if you’re facing an enormous problem that has rocked you and made you feel unsure, remember how strong you are. All the answers are there for you. You’ve already overcome many things and there isn’t anything too complex for you to unravel. You are amazing, capable, and wise. Be confident. Move forward. Success is there and you will reach it.

Tags: , ,

Spreading it Around

1 Nov

Life doesn’t always go the way we plan and sometimes we end up in places we never wanted to go.  There may be problems, obstacles, complications, unforeseen situations and a thousand other things that go wrong.  When we’re in a difficult situation and unhappy, as we struggle with what has happened and try to figure out where to go next we may be quite unhappy.  We may share our discomfort and unhappiness with others around us.  We might gripe, complain, find fault or other expressions of our misery.  It may feel good to share our trouble with others but bringing them down because we feel bad will never help us find the way out.  There are no answers to be found in spreading misery around.  They say misery loves company and in some ways that’s true.  It can feel better to know everyone else is suffering right along with us but there is a quicker way to find peace.  If we set our problems aside for a moment and focus on what is going right in our lives we can regroup and see the issues we’re facing more objectively.  There will unlikely be a time in our lives when everything is going wrong.  Most often when we’re navigating difficulty in one area of our lives, we are succeeding at something else at the same time.  If we can step back and see everything clearly, and acknowledge what we are doing well in the midst of duress, our way forward will be clearer.  We are capable of managing anything that comes to us.  We can accept challenges and find solutions.  There isn’t anything we can’t overcome.  Every success will come to us and we can face trouble confidently and peacefully.

Some people aren’t happy and complain constantly.  If the weather is beautiful, they complain because there is no rain.  If they succeed in a project they’ve been working on, they complain because it took longer than they planned.  If they win a race, they complain because they are sore.  If we look for something to complain about we will always find it.  But along with all the things that go wrong, there are many things that go well.  Instead of looking for what failed, we will be happier if we look at what worked.  Lots of things go right for us.  Recognizing them and embracing them will bring us peace and a happier perception of our lives.

If we’ve suffered through several disappointments one after the other, we may begin to believe we are somehow cursed.  We might think no matter what we do we will never win.  Repeated disappointments are difficult and it can be hard to stay positive when things go wrong again and again.  But if we focus on the big picture and look back at how far we’ve come already instead of only looking forward to how far we have yet to go, we will find comfort.  We have the potential for great success but we must continue forward in order to reach it.  We are wise and capable, and can do anything we desire.  We can be confident and strong going forward and we will reach every destination.

Today if you’re facing a big disappointment and you feel unhappy and unsuccessful, stop and look back at the road behind you.  You’ve already accomplished so much.  You can do anything.  Be confident.  You will reach success no matter what stands in the way.  The world belongs to you and you will reach every destination you desire.

Tags: , ,

Dark and Stormy

25 Oct

We go through many ups and downs as we navigate our lives.  Sometimes things go well and we’re happy, other times things go wrong and we struggle though.  Whatever we’re experiencing, whether it’s delightful or difficult, won’t last forever.  Change is the only constant we can count on in life.  Nothing stays the same indefinitely and even in our darkest moments we can take courage remembering that the situation will eventually change.  If we’re going through a serious difficulty or disappointment and we’ve been heartbroken and feel lost, we may feel like we can’t survive.  If the pain is great we may be convinced it will last forever and nothing will ever be right again.  But we are stronger than we realize and nothing will stop us from continuing on.  Our circumstances will change and we will overcome whatever we must to move forward.  Every experience we go through changes us and teaches us something new.  We take all the lessons with us to help us in the future.  Life is long and we have unlimited chances to learn and grow.  Pain isn’t easy, disappointment isn’t fun and nobody wants to suffer needlessly.  Suffering will come to each of us from time to time and no matter how great and intense it may be, it will change.  Dark and stormy nights can be frightening, but we are strong and courageous enough to face any difficulty that comes. The sun will rise again and we will prevail.  We can stand firm and look ahead.  The road will change and we will find our way.

Everyone has the opportunity to do whatever they like and sometimes the choices of others will negatively impact our lives.  When something happens over which we have no control and we have been hurt it may be difficult to find our next steps.  If the situation is very personal and involves our most tender feelings it may be hard to understand what to do.  Every problem has a solution and no matter how lost we may feel there will always be a way forward.  We can take the time we need to regroup and refocus on where we want to go.  We can make a plan that moves us out of the mire and into a better position.  There isn’t anything too difficult for us to understand and overcome.  All the answers are there for us and we will find them.

When the bottom unexpectedly falls out of our plans and we find ourselves on foreign footing we may be confused about what happened.  We can look back and try to figure out where things went wrong.  Finding mistakes may prevent us from making them again in the future but we need not obsess over any failure.  We can begin to look ahead and review all our options going forward as soon as we’re ready.  Life is a journey and if we hit a roadblock or a wide detour we can still find our way around.  We can do anything we desire and we will find success as we continue on.

Today if all your plans have gone awry, take a look at your options going forward.  You know where you want to go.  If the road you’ve been on won’t take you there, choose another.  There are limitless choices available to you.  Whatever you desire you can achieve.  Keep walking forward.  Nothing will keep you from success.

Tags: , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →