Embracing Obstacles: 3 Steps To Finding The Lessons In Your Challenges
GUEST POST BY CONNIE CHAPMAN.
” When there is ease and simplicity in your life, it’s because earlier you learned a lot. When there is resistance and obstacles in your life, it’s because there’s even more to learn. And learning even more, is pretty much the main reason everyone is still here” — Notes from the Universe
Most people feel that when their life is filled with resistance, obstacles and challenges, it is because they are doing something wrong. In the past I was a chronic ‘fixer’ of life’s problems. I would look at a challenge I was experiencing or an obstacle that was in my way and I would think, “Ok, what do I need to do to get rid of this?” or “How can I fix this problem so that it will go away?”
This is a pretty standard way that most people view the world. When things go our way, and look the way we want them to, we feel happy. But when s**t hits the fan, so to speak, or no matter what you do, you cannot seem to get things to go the way you want them to, we get upset.
The reason I love the above quote so much, is because it equips us with a new way of approaching and perceiving the challenges we face. Rather than seeing them as annoying inconveniences that need to be eradicated, we instead can view with gratitude and acceptance and look a little deeper to find the beautiful lesson that they hold. They are simply here to teach us more about our self, and our world. If we can see them as a wonderful catalyst for us to learn and grow, we can then do the inner work to heal ourselves, rather than trying to bulldoze over our problems with external action.
3 STEPS TO EMBRACING YOUR CHALLENGES
1. Accept them, don’t reject them
You must accept that challenges, obstacles and problems are going to be part of your daily life. And if you are currently on a path of self-discovery, healing or personal growth, you are going to encounter even more of them. Why? Because they are here to help you grow.
Anytime you commit to a path of growth, challenges will arise to assist you in becoming a bigger and better version of yourself. By accepting this fact rather than resisting it, you simply allow your challenges to be, and you remove the need to struggle or fight.
2. Give them a new meaning
Can you assign a positive meaning to your challenges? What if every time you experienced an obstacle, a road block or a problem, you got excited because it meant that you were in a process of growth? What if you became super curious about the lesson that was there to be learned and you embraced it with an open mind and an eagerness to do the work?
If you can change your perspective about challenges and create a new meaning around their purpose, what will arise is a total sense of peace and contentment. They will cease to bother you in the way they used to, and they will make you feel good, rather than making you feel bad.
3. Learn the lesson
You never attract anything in to your life that you cannot handle. You are never given more than you can deal with. These challenges are here so that you can dig deep and find the strength and courage within yourself to face them.
The lesson in the challenge, is all about who you are being. The purpose of these challenges is to help you develop the inner qualities you need, be it more courage, confidence, strength, patience, self-love, peace etc..
Ask yourself these questions; “What can I learn about myself from this experience?” “What is this here to teach me?” “What is the purpose of this challenge?” “What could be one positive thing that could come from this?” “Who do I need to become to handle this challenge?” “How can I be this now?”
When you change, your world changes. Once you do the work to change who you are being, the world will start to open up for you. Learning the lesson gets you back in the flow, and it opens your heart. Your life will not only become simpler and more blissful, but you will be able to embrace life’s challenge with a newfound sense of grace, peace and acceptance.
Author bio: Connie is transformational life coach, health-food lover and writer of the inspiration-filled blog a life of perfect days. She has a burning passion for empowering others to tap in to their potential and live out their best life. You can read more from Connie at her blog or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter
Positive affirmation for the day: Every challenge I face is an opportunity to grow into my amazing potential.
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POSTED IN: 3 steps to finding lessons, Connie Chapman, lessons in challenges, overcome osbtacles
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Looking at challenges with new eyes and re-framing them as a chance for positive change is such an important message. Merely thinking about obstacles in a new way can completely change how you experience them…
Love reading your stuff, Connie! xo
Great post Connie!
I cant agree with you more. Looking back at horrible challenges I have had in the past, are the biggest learning experiences I have ever had. They have shaped me into who I am today.
Although at the time you may not wish to welcome them, by reminding ourselves this is a task to help us in the long run, it makes the process a little easier to digest.
Thanks for sharing x
Thank you so much for this- it couldn’t come at a better time! I’m going through a few bits and pieces at the moment, but I know that it’s all leading to me becoming the best person I can be. Thanks Connie and Jess! xx
Love it Connie! Thanks for telling me what I needed to hear! 
Wow, love this Connie! And thank you Jess for hosting this. What an amazing message, to always remember that obstacles are here to teach us something, to help us expand and be better! xoxo
So true!
Hi Connie,
You speak my language! I loved reading your post on Jess’s site. What you speak about is so true and something I embrace on a daily basis. This is also something I teach everyone I work with.
Without challenges there is only stagnation. When we’re stagnant we stand still and make no changes, yet we do have the opportunity to observe and appreciate what we have accomplished so far. When we receive challenge, it helps us to catalyse growth and self-discovery. They both exist together and are always in constant flow with each other.
Thank you so much for sharing such an important message. I know of so many people who would love to avoid challenges like the plague, which once included myself a few years ago. I cannot wait for the next one to come along and I’ve come to discover that the greater my growth, the greater are my challenges. The beautiful blessing about these is the incredible rewards that follow once I tackle them head on.
I look forward to reading more of your content.
Love this Connie!
Thanks Connie and Jess,
I sent the link for this page to my young teenage cousin in the States, and I’ve heard back from her already.
She really appreciated it.
A very encouraging message, and for all ages too.
Kind regards, Lyall
What a beautifully written post. These words have come at the right time for me. Your outlook is so inspiring thank you. X
A great reminder! Thank you!