I remember Air Force Basic Training. My Training Instructor not only wanted to teach me the military way, but he also wanted to break me down so that he could rebuild me according to the needs of the military. These are two of the underlying premises of your first few weeks, or months, of your time in the military. Actually, I enjoyed it, but then Air Force Basic is only between six and eight weeks. The other branches have much more extensive training programs that can last for months.
However, the idea here is that, I have been thinking about various challenges presented to myself, and others, over the years and comparing these challenges to the state of the individual at the end of the challenge. It is most interesting to note that, like Basic Training, you are either strengthen and ready for your mission, or you're washed out or pushed back to the beginning to re-experience your training.
--- Challenges ---
I have been hit with many challenges throughout my life; however, the one thing I can say, now that I made it out the other end, is that I am much better for it. Of course, life continues to throw odd little challenges every day; however, I have come to realize that it is my responsibility for creating the circumstances for the challenges and my choice as to whether I want to deal with them.
Any time that you remain quiet and still, challenges will rarely appear. This, because, you're not moving and your space in life is stagnant. However, true challenges only occur once you decide to move forward. When you move, you create an imbalance that must be rebalanced, thus creating friction. Once you gain some momentum, the friction becomes inconsequential and balance returns to accommodate your new state of forward movement.
--- Education ---
Every time you move toward a goal, the Universe acknowledges your movement and immediately establishes a path of travel. It literally defines the future events and situations based on your current decisions and actions. However, this path can be seen as the curriculum necessary to prepare you for the ultimate objective. Indeed, the Universe won't tell you whether you should pursue this path; however, it will throw lessons in the way to ensure that you learn what is necessary for your ultimate chosen objective.
--- Re-Invention ---
We are always ready to hold on to who we are and what we have. It is a safety zone and a way to keep things comfortable and easy for ourselves. But, sometimes this safety zone can stifle us and eventually kill our will.
The difficulty in handling challenges is in our ability to adapt and adjust to the circumstance and to a new view of ourselves. In every challenge comes an opportunity for growth and change. This growth is a way to prepare us for our future and to open new doors for experience and further growth. Once you learn to embrace this growth and your new self, you will be able to move forward in life with ease.
--- What's next? ---
Challenges provide us with an environment of change. They make us stronger. They force us to use our creativity to devise new ways of doing things. They help us to grow and be better than we were before. Learn to adapt as challenges present themselves. Don't allow the challenge to define you. But, as you move through the circumstance and conquer the challenge, identify the important issues of benefit for yourself and incorporate those lessons into your life.
Accept, adapt, and become a newer and better person for every new lesson. Once you look back on your life, you'll find that you're not only a better person, but you also made it to your objective!
About The Author
Edward B. Toupin is an author, life-strategy coach, counselor, and technical writer living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books and articles on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. For more information, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his sites at http://www.toupin.com or http://www.make-life-great.com.
Goal-mapping is like a treasure hunt, you must first start... Read More
A few years back, I went to London, England. I... Read More
Do you want to get better results from daily exercises... Read More
One day you will inevitably die. A morbid statement, I... Read More
For the past several weeks, I have not been sleeping... Read More
Do you ever daydream about going on a great vacation?... Read More
If you, just by coincidence, read my short article about... Read More
Neil Armstrong made his first moon walk on July 20,... Read More
Many people envy academics who take sabbaticals. What they don't... Read More
I have a confession to make. Once upon a time,... Read More
Recently, I spoke with a client who wanted me to... Read More
Do you remember the last time you had a blast?... Read More
Goal setting is an important technique used by athletes, successful... Read More
Your path to the successful accomplishment of your goals can... Read More
I wonder if anyone really reads long stuff from Ezines... Read More
Have you set goals, personal or business, and failed to... Read More
Over time I have come to realize that the three... Read More
Bringing life to your ideas is what helps them to... Read More
Another year has flown by and here you are at... Read More
You can forget about making New Year's Resolutions if you're... Read More
"To accomplish great things we must not only act, but... Read More
"In any and every given moment of your life, you... Read More
It is very easy and a lot of fun to... Read More
Treasure Map Your Success for 2005Treasure-mapping is the process of... Read More
I would venture to believe that most people have the... Read More
Everybody on this planet has enemies, rivals and foes. Call... Read More
The Belief That You Can Do It and more importantly,... Read More
If a comatose person were to earn an interest of... Read More
Have you set resolutions for yourself to accomplish in 2005?... Read More
If you have always been procrastinating on how to get... Read More
Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments was about living... Read More
As you begin your new home business you will find... Read More
IF I WON THE LOTTERY, IWOULDN'T NEED TO JOB SEARCH!Let's... Read More
Last year, I attended a seminar where the attendees were... Read More
As 2005 approaches, many of us are thinking about change.... Read More
You had your new years resolution all set. You knew... Read More
Whether taking on a new project, starting a new job,... Read More
Did you start off the new year with goals and... Read More
Let me try something new but please, please, please, let... Read More
Most quit smoking books, maybe all of them won't tell... Read More
Achieving goals requires persistence. Here's the proof: In 1915 Ty... Read More
Have you ever had someone ask you to do some... Read More
Neil Armstrong made his first moon walk on July 20,... Read More
Everyone ? particularly business coaches like me - talks about... Read More
Lately I have been studying mindset and goals, and wanted... Read More
Do you ever daydream about going on a great vacation?... Read More
How many times do you say, "Gee, I wish I... Read More
Treasure Map Your Success for 2005Treasure-mapping is the process of... Read More
Do you have a desire? Silly question I know because... Read More
Your business can't go according to plan if you have... Read More
Goal Setting Goal Setting |