How Do You Embrace the Lessons Learned Through Challenges?

Have you ever wondered how challenges and heartaches in your life could possibly serve you and have you looked for the lesson in them? Challenges in our lives are “gifts”. We have an incredible amount of opportunities every day to learn from our problems and to allow them to be our greatest teacher!

Imagine, right now, that your greatest challenge is actually your friend and is trying to teach you something. I realize that this may be a stretch for many of you, but just try it and notice what comes up for you. Can you look at the deeper meaning in the challenge and see the lesson it may be trying to show you? From my experience, at times when I am going through the challenge, it has been difficult to see the lesson in the midst of chaos. However, I have learned to trust that my spiritual source is working all things for my good although sometimes it’s been years afterwards when I finally saw the lesson.

In my work with hundreds of students and adults in the home-business industry FEAR has been the common theme. So, let's take a closer look at fear and see if we can understand it in a slightly different way. Fear is an opportunity for you to evolve, to see it with new eyes, and to listen with a keen sense of hearing as a “success strategy”. Fear allows you to see where and how you limit yourself and it presents an opportunity to find new ways to transform it into empowerment. When we feel fear in our daily lives, it is usually an indication that we are thinking (up in our heads) about past experiences or worrying about the future. We are attempting to protect ourselves from a perceived harm or uncomfortable situation. When we experience fear it is because we’re disconnected to the present moment and are not allowing ourselves to “go with the flow”.

Fear is really an illusion and a mask for old pain and hurts. The more we wear the mask, the more we starve our own heart of love and joy. The more we protect ourselves from feeling pain, abandonment, sadness, rejection, and so on-- the more we become prisoners of our own doing and are blocking the natural radiance of our heart. Fear does not exist in the present moment.

Only love exists in the present moment. Love is of the “heart” and fear is of the “mind”. We cannot be in love and fear at the same time. Love is “ALWAYS” here! It is like the sun which is always shining. When the storms roll in and the clouds mask the sun, it still shines behind those clouds--no matter what. The sun always shines and love is “ALWAYS” here. The more you notice love, the miracles, and all the beauty around you--the more love comes into your heart. Love is a “decision” and a “choice”. It is the heart that teaches us to see the “GIFT” in every experience and transforms our fears to give us a true sense of security! The heart lets us know that "all is well". It is the heart that holds Present Moment Awareness.

So, what can you do when you feel fear? Realize that it is not your most empowered state of being and that you have a choice in how you “RESPOND” to it. This is different that “REACTING” to it! You can respond with even more fear and anxiety; OR you can focus within to a more empowered state and just allow yourself to trust this experience and the lesson it is trying to teach you! Therefore, acknowledge your fear just as you would a little child who is lost in a shopping mall. Comfort yourself by placing your right hand over your heart and take a deep breath in…… BREATHE! Reassure yourself from your heart that everything is going to be all right.

"The real self is found inside the pain.”-----Arthur Janov
As you lie in bed tonight just before falling asleep, ask yourself this question: "What percent of my day today did I spend feeling peaceful and tranquil?" Most people who stop and answer this question realize that much of their day is spent being stressed, worried about something, or worrying about the future events that haven't even happened yet!

Imagine what your days would be like if you were to feel the feelings of joy and inner peace at least 40%-50% of your waking hours? Imagine how your life would be different if you felt these feelings several times in your day. This is the essence of one of the most powerful secrets to manifesting... Make a “DECISION” to feel happy, joyful, and peaceful MORE often during your day. Begin now to make an empowering choice to feel joy in your heart in this very moment. Did you embrace the lesson in your challenge?