Meeting Life's Challenges

Look at this, I am writing 2 days in a row. Is that a good sign? I don't really have any profound thoughts tonight, but it has been a good day. In one of the meeting at church this morning I was put on the spot a bit. The lesson was basically about how to handle challenges in life, when we feel as if we are in the eye with hurricane winds raging around us. I do not consider myself an expert on handling difficult challenges, only someone with a lot of experience.

I did share a bit of my philosphy in life about making choices every day to choose to feel all my emotions to the fullest which means that even though I do feel sadness, grief, and sorrow very deeply, it also means I keep my heart open to feel the joy as well.

I was pressed a little bit about what kind of foundation I have that has helped me through those storms in life. It was good for me to pause for a moment and check in with myself before answering the question. It was easy. No matter what has happened in the last few years, I have found the source of my strength from the Savior. I can't say that I have been perfect in asking and receiving. In fact, most of the time, when those hurricane winds got really, really fierce, it would take me some time to remember where to turn to for peace.

I have a favorite symbolish about getting to a place where we can feel the love of God. But on the way to the desired results, sometimes there are mists of darkness that come up and cloud our way. To help us reach our destination, there is a rod of iron put in place that helps us keep pressing forward. I used to visualize that scene as a bunch of people pressing forward in a line moving forward with their hands sliding along the rod with the mists of darkness sometimes blinding the way. Now I see those mists as the raging hurricane force winds bringing profound darkness. Forward progress during those times is virtually impossible because it takes every ounce of energy and effort just to cling with the tightest grip we can possibly muster until the winds calm down a bit and we can actually see the light and press forward again.

For me, there have been many times, my strength enough was not alone to hang on. But I made choices, almost daily to remember what I know and receive strength beyond my own capacity. Those days when I didn't remember, it was more difficult to hold on to any grip of sanity. The days I did remember were still difficult, but it was easier to cope and I found that I could still have peace which has been my ultimate goal for a long time.

I am very grateful for all the experiences I have had in my life that has given me opportunity to experiment and develop many coping skills. I have learned that no matter what outside influences are hammering out our peace, we always have a choice in our attitude. Every emotion we experience is our body trying to get our attention. When we try to numb out, or burn out, or do anything we can to avoid feeling, that is when we get in trouble and our body takes more drastic measures to get our attention by creating illness. This is just a philosophy I have found works in my own life. When I choose to be present in my body so that I can feel the sorrow, sadness, fear or anger as they I arise, I can then release them to a power greater than myself when I am ready to. I can also take responsibility for those things which are within my personal power to change and choose to take action if necessary. In so doing I become active, not reactive without inflicting pain or be disprespectful of others.

Wow, that seems like a lot of pschobabble, but it truly is the way I have learned to live my life. Someone once told me they could never go through the things I have because they just weren't that strong. (This was about 6 years ago) I responded by telling them that I didn't get through things because I was strong, I got stronger by having lots of opportunities for growth and choosing to look to a higher source to give me the strength to not just endure and get through them, but to learn life lessons along the way.

We each have opportunities every day to make choices about how we face challenges in life. I love knowing that it is up to me to create joy and that I have a creation coach whose soul purpose is to bring about my success.

It is an awesome plan. I love remembering what I know and allowing myself to just be me. I am not a perfect person by any means. I have weaknesses that keep me humble. But I am a peaceful person. I acknowledge the hand of the Lord in my life in all things. He is my rock and my foundation. Sometimes I forget that, but luckily He never forgets me. His hands are always outstretched and his invitation is constant. No matter what challenges I face in the future, the choice will always be mine as to how to face it. From personal experience, believe me, it is easier when I choose not to go it alone, but to accept the Savior's invitation to cast my very heavy mortal burdens on his very capable celestial shoulders. I sure hope I can continue to remember my own advice. Sometimes it is easier than others. Oh well, such is the biggest challenge of my life.

Chris

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