Turning the Challenge into a Gift
“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” ~Oprah
Many of us can look back and understand how certain challenges such as a relationship break down, an illness or financial struggle were actual gifts in our life. Gifts that often catapulted us in a better direction towards a happier life.
But how are you at finding the gifts in the struggle you are experiencing in this very moment?
Are you able to give thanks for the challenge that is before you RIGHT NOW?
It’s not easy, but it is possible.
I have been dealing lately with a very difficult ex-person in my life. There have been weeks of chaos, struggle and lots of tears. During one very challenging day I found myself sobbing on my bed drowning in a pity party when it hit me. I needed to find a way to give thanks for this storm in my life. Could the pain and suffering this person was bringing into my life be a blessing?
To get to this point I had to rise above my emotions. I’m not saying that suddenly I was walking in a field of roses and rainbows, but I needed to shift my perspective from looking at this event as a negative. And when I did, I saw the gift. This challenging time was going to provide me with a greater depth, understanding and experience, I would utilize when coaching my clients. That was a great gift to receive.
We can’t change the life events that are happening to us but we can change how we respond to them.
When we shift our thoughts about an event the struggle lessens and the journey gets easier.
Life will challenge us. That is inevitable. By changing how we respond to these events we can reduce our suffering. Our thoughts if we let them, will either add more pain or can make the path we have to walk less painful. It is our choice how much it hurts.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you uncover the gift in your current challenge.
- What is causing this challenge in my life?
- How am I contributing to this event?
- What is the truth of this event and how does it differ from the story I have created in my head?
- What can I be grateful for with this experience?
- How can I grow from this?
Change happens gradually with lots of little steps. Having the courage to pause and ask yourself these questions is one of those steps.
With gratitude for YOU!
Desiree
