“Trails are challenges to be learned from and overcome. They are mini-universities and scientific laboratories meant to instruct and refine.” ~KW
The trials and challenges of life don’t necessarily do us good or harm. They’re neutral. They don’t care how you react to them. They don’t care if they refine you or bury you in the ashes of a failed life.
Some people, of course, get crushed by difficulty, like so many boulders smashing the life and kindness right out of them. They turn bitter and sour and hateful. They lose faith and friends and happiness.
Others experience the same difficulties and are softened by them, becoming more compassionate, patient and determined. Some even become saint-like.
But why the difference? Why are some people destroyed by life while others are made better, sharpened, the rough edges smoothed and polished?
Attitude
How we deal with the adversities of life is much more important and life-changing than the nature of the adversity itself. I can get angry at life and curse God for my losses, or I can learn from them, grow because of them and be appreciative of that growth. One makes me bitter even when surrounded by beauty. The other makes me happy even when life is not behaving so nicely.
So next time life smacks you down, instead of condemning it for the sucker punch it sneaked in, look for the opportunity or lesson or insight it’s hiding in the very pain and throb on the chin it provided.
See the good in the bad, the light in the darkness. That attitude will make all the difference in how you experience life’s adversities.
It will forever change how challenges are dealt with and in what shape you end up on the other side of the trial.
One of the things that I found really helpful is to look at life’s trails as an opportunity to move toward something instead of moving way from something.
Each event in life can be an opportunity to expand my awareness and create greater joy in my life. When I am moving toward something pleasurable rather than away from pain life just seems a whole lot more enjoyable.
Thanks for another great post Ken!
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I love that attitude! It’s as though the pain is a reminder that there are other options. Now we just need to find the option that most draws us to it, rather than trying to run away from the pain. That’s a wonderful insight, Susan! Thanks so much for sharing it here!
That was a great article. Life’s trials should not put us down but instead help us grow, use it as lessons learned in life, so we can move forward and achieve our goals, as the saying goes ” after the rain, comes the rainbow” . Have a great LIfe !
I agree. Let us see the positive aspect in each situation. It will make us feel better and strive to do better. Lovely post!
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