There are times that life can seem daunting, weaving what seems like insurmountable challenges into one’s daily life. Memories of the good ol’ days, getting lost in a good book or favorite movie or avoiding the ‘news’, enjoying the glow of the full moon may provide welcomed respite.
For me, as shared by Albert Einstein, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” I found an answer to facing challenges on my mountain top. While on my run, there in the rock face, was a life form overcoming what could be its insurmountable challenge, creating its existence in a location that was rugged, windblown, without water, and exposed to the threat of fire. This young yucca found a space to put down its roots, develop its spiky defense against being mistaken for a wild critter’s lunch, persevered, and over time, developed a colony of fellow yuccas to flourish and prosper together. Did the rock intend to be a threatening challenge, an inhospitable host, a defiance to others who wanted its space, I think not. Though to some not considered a life form, this mighty rock has challenges of its own: earthquakes, storms over the decades, and the threat of becoming gravel.
Sir Edmund Hilary, whose career was the adventure of overcoming challenges, shared his perspective: “If the going is tough and the pressure is on, if the reserves of strength have been drained and the summit is still not in sight, then the quality to seek in the person is neither great strength nor quickness of hand, but rather a resolute mind firmly set on its purpose that refuses to let its body slack or rest.”
Like the yucca, or the test of the climb, each of us have challenges to confront, from facing a non-optimum health condition, to finding the needed support and resources to expand one’s business, to seeking sane solutions to the conflicts plaguing our world, we need to break through the barriers, to persevere, to acknowledge our wins, no matter how small.
It is the magic of acknowledgement, the spiritual pat on the back, that dissipates the challenges and turns each into a champion. If your challenges are few, find another who needs that pat on the back, that can lead to their breakthrough. And like the yucca and the rock, synergy will follow.
If you are having challenges that are perplexing and interrupting your success, we are here to help.
Gillian