This post is part of my cornerstone content, written years ago, updated for today and still inspiring wisdom and deep understanding.
As a kid, I was under the impression that I’d have all of the answers when I grew up. I’d know what I wanted and how I was going to get it. I thought there would come this magical time in the future when all of my questions and fears would melt away, and I’d know, no matter what, I was going to be happy.
Well, come to find out, that day never comes.
The truth is the only way any of us know for sure that we’re going to be okay is by having faith in ourselves to handle whatever comes along and by forgiving ourselves when we screw up.
Because we can’t avoid screwing up. I’ve done it. I’m sure you have too.
We’ve all made mistakes in the past, and, more than likely, we’re going to mess up something else in the future too. That’s simply a part of being human.
Like the rudder on a ship
The only thing we really truly have any control over is our own attitude.
If we approach a situation thinking, “Oh Crap! This is gonna SUCK!!” then there’s a good chance our attitude will poison the situation and make it even worse. Like the rudder on a ship, our attitude has a direct impact on our voyage and destination.
To adjust our attitudes appropriately, we can start by tapping into our Captain and asking the question, “What’s the best I can do to get through this?”
We can stay on course by looking at every day as another chance to use our struggles to develop our strengths.
“Anything that annoys you is teaching patience. Anyone who abandons you is teaching you how to stand on your own two feet. Anything that angers you is teaching you forgiveness and compassion. Anything that has power over you is teaching you how to take your power back. Anything you hate is teaching you how to love. Anything you fear is teaching you the courage to overcome your fear. Anything you can’t control is teaching you how to let go.
Jackson Kiddard
Practice, practice
The challenges we face can bring up difficult emotions, painful transformations, and unexpected delays to our well-laid-out plans. Feeling frustrated, anxious, and downright angry are entirely normal and to be expected. However, by using these obstacles to see our situation with fresh eyes, we can develop a new understanding of ourselves. Practicing this leads to the wisdom, confidence, and strength we need. It’s not easy, and sometimes we’ll screw up and have to start over. That’s what makes it a practice.
“You know, your attitude is a lot like the rudder on a ship. As long as you keep your attitude adjusted appropriately, you can get where you need to go. But if it gets stuck, you’ll go in circles, frustrating yourself, and everyone else around you.”
The Captain pg 8.
Like the waves on the stormy seas of life, our challenges are never going away. Life never gets resolved. Some challenges will be more significant than others. The only thing we can change is how we handle them—using the idea of “appropriate” to guide us taps into our Captain to chart a course toward a life worth looking forward to. Life truly meant for us.
What about you, my friendly blog reader?
How are you adjusting your attitude?
What kind of strength are your struggles allowing you to develop?
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
xoxo Pam