As much as we all like to feel comfortable and secure, it’s important to recognize that our biggest trials and challenges in life are the very building blocks that strengthen us and make us more confident, compassionate, and loving people.
You can probably recall at least a few big challenges that you have faced throughout your lifetime. And while you were working through those struggles, you probably experienced moments of doubt, fear, and despair. Maybe you even felt at times that you were at rock bottom, and you didn’t have the strength to pull yourself back up, but somehow you did.
Through that experience, you actually became a different person than you were before. You became stronger and wiser. Your belief in yourself was strengthened, and you can now look back on that experience and appreciate the gifts you received because of it. You could even say that the experience itself unleashed your inner hero as you battled adversity and came out victorious on the other side. That would not have happened if your life circumstances had remained easy and comfortable.
In an earlier post, I talked about the lessons I learned rock bottom. And these are lessons I am so grateful for because it made me a better person.
While it’s easy to see all of this in hindsight, it’s not always so clear while you are in the midst of a big challenge. When you find yourself in a situation that is frightening or overwhelming, you tend to forget your own strengths. The problems you’re facing seem so much bigger than you are, and you feel helpless to change what’s happening.
During these moments, it can be helpful to tap into your inner hero or heroine. Remind yourself that you are much stronger than you often think. Remember previous challenges that you have overcome and draw on those memories for encouragement. How did you overcome those struggles? How were you able to remain strong in the midst of such adversity? How did you resolve those problems? Thinking in this way immediately empowers you with the knowledge that you are not helpless, you are not permanently stuck, and that you have the ability to think creatively and come up with endless possible solutions.
Next, practice believing in your ability to overcome any and all challenges you may face, now and in the future. Even if you have doubts about that in the moment, keep practicing the belief and it will continue to get stronger. Say to yourself often, “I can handle anything with grace and ease. I am strong, I am resilient, and I am a magnet for easy solutions in all situations.”
Remind yourself also that heroes and heroines do not need to be brash or flashy. Sometimes their greatest strength is the ability to remain calm and composed as the storm rages around them. Embody this talent yourself by continually coming back to your center.
As you come to believe in yourself more and more, you should notice that your challenges no longer seem so frightening and intimidating. They seem to shrink in stature so that they appear much more manageable. You might even start to enjoy the process of working through challenges, simply because they offer such great opportunities to test yourself and stretch beyond your previously perceived limitations.
