by: Edward B. Toupin




I remember Air Force Basic Training. My Training Instructor not only wanted to teach me the military way, but he also wanted to break me down so that he could rebuild me according to the needs of the military. These are two of the underlying premises of your first few weeks, or months, of your time in the military. Actually, I enjoyed it, but then Air Force Basic is only between six and eight weeks. The other branches have much more extensive training programs that can last for months.


However, the idea here is that, I have been thinking about various challenges presented to myself, and others, over the years and comparing these challenges to the state of the individual at the end of the challenge. It is most interesting to note that, like Basic Training, you are either strengthen and ready for your mission, or you're washed out or pushed back to the beginning to re-experience your training.


--- Challenges ---


I have been hit with many challenges throughout my life; however, the one thing I can say, now that I made it out the other end, is that I am much better for it. Of course, life continues to throw odd little challenges every day; however, I have come to realize that it is my responsibility for creating the circumstances for the challenges and my choice as to whether I want to deal with them.


Any time that you remain quiet and still, challenges will rarely appear. This, because, you're not moving and your space in life is stagnant. However, true challenges only occur once you decide to move forward. When you move, you create an imbalance that must be rebalanced, thus creating friction. Once you gain some momentum, the friction becomes inconsequential and balance returns to accommodate your new state of forward movement.


--- Education ---


Every time you move toward a goal, the Universe acknowledges your movement and immediately establishes a path of travel. It literally defines the future events and situations based on your current decisions and actions. However, this path can be seen as the curriculum necessary to prepare you for the ultimate objective. Indeed, the Universe won't tell you whether you should pursue this path; however, it will throw lessons in the way to ensure that you learn what is necessary for your ultimate chosen objective.


--- Re-Invention ---


We are always ready to hold on to who we are and what we have. It is a safety zone and a way to keep things comfortable and easy for ourselves. But, sometimes this safety zone can stifle us and eventually kill our will.


The difficulty in handling challenges is in our ability to adapt and adjust to the circumstance and to a new view of ourselves. In every challenge comes an opportunity for growth and change. This growth is a way to prepare us for our future and to open new doors for experience and further growth. Once you learn to embrace this growth and your new self, you will be able to move forward in life with ease.


--- What's next? ---


Challenges provide us with an environment of change. They make us stronger. They force us to use our creativity to devise new ways of doing things. They help us to grow and be better than we were before. Learn to adapt as challenges present themselves. Don't allow the challenge to define you. But, as you move through the circumstance and conquer the challenge, identify the important issues of benefit for yourself and incorporate those lessons into your life.


Accept, adapt, and become a newer and better person for every new lesson. Once you look back on your life, you'll find that you're not only a better person, but you also made it to your objective!

About The Author Edward B. Toupin is an author, life-strategy coach, counselor, and technical writer living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books and articles on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. For more information, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his sites at http://www.toupin.com or http://www.make-life-great.com.