Embrace Challenge

“No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many a wind assails it. For by its very tossing it tightens its grip and plants its roots more securely; the fragile trees are those that have grown in a sunny valley.” Seneca

Challenges in life are both inevitable and necessary. Although difficulties we face daily can be daunting at times, it is these very difficulties that allow us to grow and develop as individuals. These adversities force us to delve deeply within us, to lean on and pull from various resources. Each time we use these resources, just like each time we use a muscle, that resource becomes stronger and better able to help us the next time we find ourselves in need of its benefits.

So, the next time you encounter a challenge or difficulty of some sort, ask yourself how you might improve as a result of experiencing this challenge. See if you can transform frustration into gratitude. That is, try to change your perception from one of being thwarted or hindered in some way to one of being afforded a unique opportunity to improve, develop, and grow.

Problems and challenges are going to arise in our lives no matter what, and thank goodness! Imagine how boring life would be and how stagnant we would become without occasional opportunities to flex our “resilience muscles”. Today, choose to embrace those challenges you encounter and be thankful for the chance to get a little better today than you were yesterday.