Learning to accept the challenges of life

Of everything that I have had to deal with in my life, I think that learning to accept the challenges that life has thrown at me, sometimes, has been the hardest thing for me to wrap my brain around. I kind of view it like a roller coaster ride. Some people LOVE those things. Me? I can’t stand them. It didn’t use to be that way, though. When I was younger, I’d ride them without a problem. Now? Not on your life. That is also a “Not no, but HELL NO!!!!”

Also, as I’ve gotten older, I have found that “grace” is NOT my middle name! (And, yes. My husband and children tease me about it as well!) So, things that require climbing or going over obstacles are a challenge that I’d rather not do. I like the straight shot, but life isn’t like that, is it? Life is filled with all sorts of hills and valleys that we have to cross through and go over to get to the reward at the end. (Related post: Traversing the hills and valleys of life with grace). It doesn’t mean that I have to like it. I just have to learn to accept that I have to get through that valley and over that hill. Along the way, I tend to learn something about myself and about who I ultimately want to be at the end of my lifetime.

So, what kind of challenges are we talking about? I’m very sure that you can name a few but I will list some here as well. It can be the death of a loved one, divorce, troubled child/children, a difficult job, sickness, gee, a hurricane that causes major destruction…..and the list can go on and on and on. Those are our valleys in life that can define how we are able to deal with the hill on the other side. And it’s not to say that the hill isn’t going to be difficult either. Sometimes, that hill looks more like a straight shot up a very steep mountain. It’s times like that, that makes you wonder how you can get through the struggles.

The thing is….. you aren’t going through it alone. God is right there by your side. (Related post: In confronting the darkness, we can begin to see the light…). We don’t always see Him or feel Him but He is there. Also, don’t forget that your family and friends want to know what’s going on with you, too. I know that counseling can help as well. Don’t forget that you are never alone and you don’t ever need to go through it by yourself.

So, what did I learn from this? I need to take my own advice, which isn’t always the easiest thing to do. I have also found that I have a need to write this blog because it helps me to see things in a clearer manner. In doing so, I also hope that I can help someone else too. I’ve said it before, life is NEVER easy but it doesn’t have to ALWAYS be hard, either. Instead, maybe it’s a matter of attitude and finding joy in daily living even when those circumstances around you tend to stink.

What can you gain from this? I think that the more important question to ask is, “What do I want to gain from the knowledge that I don’t have to carry this burden by myself?” I love the resiliency of the human spirit. The problem that we have is that we have the tools in our toolbelt but we sometimes forget how to use them or to even use them at all. So, hopefully, what you want to gain is simply the peace and joy that comes from living a life well-lived, even if the circumstances that you find yourself in aren’t always easy to bear.