Some challenges last a long time and when that happens, I wonder why that's true.
Recently a persistent challenge in my midst ended. I longed for the end of the challenge, and now I'm on the other side. In some ways, it feels strange to be on the other side. While there's a great sense of relief, the landscape continues to include challenges, some new and some long-held. Like most landscapes, the challenges we face are those hills and mountains that we regularly navigate--some rambling and others craggy and most difficult.
Why do some challenges persist?
How do we find ways to overcome those challenges or simply live with them? What can we do?
The challenge recently overcome required great persistence, reflection and multiple, varied efforts to at last overcome. It wasn't a simple solution. Persistent challenges are rarely overcome easily.
So what about those persistent challenges in your life?
First, identify the challenges, and rather than simply deny or avoid them, make time to dissect the challenges. What are they? How did they come about? What steps will change the landscape making those challenges go away or at least making them easier to live with?
Visualize life on the other side of those challenges--that visualization gives you good energy to make change and also helps to provide a road map to change.
Take it step-by-step.
As I think about one of the persistent challenges in my midst, I recognize that there's a fair degree of mystery related to this challenge. There's not one reason why this challenge arose, and there's no simple remedy, but there are ways to make this challenge more positive and livable--ways to essentially soften the harsh edges of this challenge.
First, I have to work at the most difficult aspects of the challenge--aspects that make this challenge hard to deal with.
Then, I need to identify the supports that help with this challenge--supports that help me to mitigate the challenge.
And, while accepting the mysterious aspects of this challenge, I have to make sure I have the right mindset when dealing with this challenge--the kind of mindset that makes me embrace the situation with positivity, a will to be helpful, and an open mind ready to learn.
All challenges and especially persistent challenges change us. If we deal with these challenges with the best possible mindset and actions, we will be changed in positive, more humane ways. That's one of the bonuses that come with the challenges we face. Onward.