challenges

Thinking Out Loud: Earning a Hero’s Reward

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“Do not trouble your hearts overmuch with thought of the road tonight. Maybe the paths that you shall each tread are already laid before your feet, though you do not see them.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

NOTE: It seems to be part of our human nature to worry. We worry over things which haven’t happened. Perhaps it is our penchant for security as we seek to control the events of our lives believing we know how they should turn out. From my experience, I am happy I wasn’t able to control how things were to turn out. I would have lived a boring life. When we open ourselves to accepting the unknown, we free our heroic spirit to bravely face the challenges that lie ahead. Each challenge tests us. Each challenge teaches us. If we’re brave and don’t retreat, we earn a hero’s reward at the end of the journey.

Thinking Out Loud: What Have You Done Today to Earn Another’s Trust?

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Harper Lee’s  work, To Kill a Mockingbird.

“We’re paying the highest tribute you can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It’s that simple.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Note: One can’t order trust online. Nor can one expect somebody to trust him/her without first earning that trust. Trust results from the accumulation of hundreds of small action. It only takes one act to destroy all the previous good acts. Once lost, it’s difficult to regain another’s trust. Trust is an imprint on one’s character. It’s indelible. We earn another’s trust by keeping our word, standing on trusted values, and never taking the cowards way out when facing difficult challenges.

As Once The Winged Energy Of Delight” by Rainer Maria Rilke

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As Once The Winged Energy Of Delight 

Rainer Maria Rilke

As once the winged energy of delight
carried you over childhood’s dark abysses,
now beyond your own life build the great
arch of unimagined bridges.

Wonders happen if we can succeed
in passing through the harshest danger;
but only in a bright and purely granted
achievement can we realize the wonder.

To work with Things in the indescribable
relationship is not too hard for us;
the pattern grows more intricate and subtle,
and being swept along is not enough.

Take your practiced powers and stretch them out
until they span the chasm between two
contradictions…For the god
wants to know himself in you.

Feeling Good Tip

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Is It Time to Stop Manufacturing Challenges?

Every species on our wonderful planet has to daily prove it is hardier than the challenges it faces. It’s the way it is. We can’t manufacture a challenge-less life. Sometimes, we go out of our way to create challenges that don’t have a right to exist. For example, we ‘tell someone off.’ We buy too much on credit. We indulge ourselves in unhealthy practices. The list goes on. We can feel a lot better if we stop creating challenges for ourselves and focus solely on the challenges that are part of living. When facing life’s challenges, never quit. Never give up. Always stay strong.

Daily Quotes to Brighten Your Journey

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Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things.

It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out – it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.

Robert W. Service

Thinking Out Loud ~ You Are Tougher than the Challenge

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Joseph Campbell says in Reflections on the Art of Living, “Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves, when life seems most challenging.  . . . Negativism to the pain and ferocity of life is negativism to life.  . . . We are not there until we can say yes to it all. P. 20

Note: The saying, used by many who exercise, “no pain no gain” is also true in other aspects of life. Our greatest life lessons come from the moments of great challenges. We will be challenged. Challenges are unavoidable. The best way to deal with challenges is to go through them.  When we face our challenges head on, we come out, stronger, more resilient, and wiser.

Feeling Good for Today ~ A Way of Confidence Building

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“Physical muscles build up by facing the challenge weight. Mental muscles too grow stronger as we challenge them. According to Barbara Fredrickson, a leading positive psychology researcher, “in life there are situations where you have to perform in areas where you are weak, and it is those situations that may bring the most pride and the most lasting sense of confidence, achievement, and strength as well.” ~ Source

 

NOTE: Think back to your greatest successes, those that brought you the deepest satisfaction. More likely than not, you overcame significant challenges on your road to success. You faced difficulties and didn’t shy away. The result was success and an inner feeling that you did something special. You felt good about yourself. Don’t fear challenging situations. You knock them down and keep on going. Bring it on is your motto. You are confident.

Inspiring Quote of the Day ~ You Got This

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Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.

~ Alfred A. Montapert

Feeling Good Tip of the Day ~ Being Resilient Gets Us Through the Tough Times

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Build Your Resilience

Resilience is what allows you to cope with life’s ups and downs. Making something worthwhile out of painful times helps your resilience grow. Starting a support group to help others, or making something creative out of bad experiences by, for example, writing, painting or singing, can help you express pain and get through hard times.

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Today’s Positive Thought ~ There are Important Lessons in our Challenges

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“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds

and diamonds are made under pressure (Peter Marshall ).”

One of life’s mysteries is that the most important lessons we learn rise out of our most difficult circumstances. The lessons are transformative and change our lives for the better, we become stronger and wiser..

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