Read this very cool quote in The (Singaporean) Straits Times at a recent trip from an article titled “A plucky woman with altitude”.
“Climbing shows you at your most humble. You are literally at the mercy of your elements. But you are also at your strongest when you get up, wind or no wind”, Jane Lee, Mt. Everest Conqueror, attempting to be the first woman in Southeast Asia to scale the seven highest summits on seven continents.
In both our personal and professional lives, we are often buffeted with the winds of challenge. It’s how we set our sails in the face of such winds that determines our destiny and defines our legend. Reaching our full potential is akin to the relationship between a kite and wind – we reach our highest through, not in spite of, the winds in our lives.
“The greatest glory in life comes not in never falling, but in getting up every time we fall” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
So how are you dealing with the challenges in your life? Are you avoiding them or tackling them with gratitude, inspiration and passion?
Remember that such challenges are often gifts from above, designed to bring out the very best in us and to help us realise just how capable we are. When you are feeling down about a particular situation, keep in mind that it is not the situation, but the meaning you are giving to it that is getting you down. A wise sage once said to me – “Don’t judge the situation as being good or bad. Unless you can see everything that is going to happen in the future, you have no right to judge it.” All you can do is to take it as it is and know that whatever the situation is, you have the power to choose your response. I find that by reflecting on the empowering opportunities presented by the situation, I can draw on a well of gratitude from which I choose the most appropriate response that will move me forward positively, a better, wiser and stronger individual for having had the experience.
Here’s a tool to help you find the strength and inspiration to overcome any challenge you be facing right now.
Think of a challenge that may have previously caused you to feel disempowered. Grab a piece of paper, reflect on the following, and write down as many answers as you can to each of the following questions,
- How could this challenge be a gift? What positive lessons can you draw from it?
- How will you be a different person for overcoming or putting in your very best to overcome this situation?
- How will this positively affect your self-belief, confidence and resilience?
- By overcoming this, how will it help you scale future challenges?
- What will it give you?
- How will the benefits positively influence the lives of others around you?
- How will your journey and actions be a source of inspiration for others?
Reflect on all the answers you have written down. Notice how much more empowered you are having done this? Now, decide to let go of the past, design your future and move positively towards it!
To your Success,
