INTERNET GRANDFATHER®

Troubles(2)

                                When we feel aches and pains in our bodies, we're advised to heed them. As people say, our bodies are trying to tell us something. Perhaps we should stop doing what we're doing or do it differently. Perhaps we should try to strengthen our bodies in some way before trying again. When we're faced with troubles in our lives, we wonder whether the same thing applies. Should we stop what we're doing? Should we wait for strengthening before we continue?

                                        It's not the same. Troubles in our lives may give us psychic pain but we can't let that stop us. Troubles should be viewed as learning opportunities, as challenges to overcome, as strengthening events. There are many who seek to deal with those who have overcome troubles, believing that someone who has once overcome troubles will do so more easily if they arise again. It's like the tempering of a team of athletes; only through the experience of overcoming difficulties together can a team truly work together in the most effective way.

                                        We all ask ourselves how we would respond in certain difficult situations where we've admired the response of others. Experiencing those situations for ourselves and responding well builds confidence for the future. This is but another example of how troubles in life help us once we've overcome them.

                                        As I noted before when I wrote about troubles, "the people who welcome the troubles, who relish the opportunity to overcome them, who learn from the troubles and become stronger after overcoming them are the people we must strive to be."

                                        Don't look for troubles but don't surrender to them when you face them. Work to overcome them and when you do you'll be a better person for it.

4-16-07