I have always believed in challenging myself. I feel that we grow as individuals when we challenge ourselves. We are really able to discover who we are and what we are made of. Do we have the grit, the true grit to overcome our fears, or our laziness, or a bad habit? Some naturally have that fire in their bellies, others must seek it.
Challenges, or I should say personal challenges come in many forms. Some are physical, some are mental, some are intellectual, and some are spiritual. Some people may excel in one or all areas, some in none. Regardless of achieving excellence in any area, I believe it to be a necessity of the human spirit to seek a way and shape our lives as we see fit. It is in this seeking that we challenge ourselves and find our paths and find ourselves.
The physical challenge, while at times seeming to be an exhausting journey, is perhaps the easiest of the four that I described, or at least equal to the intellectual. Both the physical and the intellectual require paths that are in many ways, clear or specific. While there may be obstructions along the way, a goal that is seen may be achieved. A physical goal such as a race, an obstacle course, bringing the body to peak condition, or improving eye-hand coordination is relative to obtaining a degree, understanding our constitution, achieving a level of education, or simply learning for the sake of learning. Both personal challenges have a clear set of steps that one must take from start to finish.
The other two forms of personal challenge are more complicated and require more discipline and will power. Mental challenges such as overcoming emotional crutches like grief, anger, and despair, or breaking a bad habit, or ceasing the procrastination, or overcoming our worst fears require one to dig deep within and literally change oneself. It is difficult, and at times daunting, but possible. A challenge must be issued to oneself. The spiritual challenge may entail even greater difficulty, as it is literally a battle for our individual souls. It requires the greatest of diligence because, in the end, it is of the greatest importance and has the ability to make all other challenges easier. The spiritual challenge opens doors that were unknown to exist to some, and out of reach to so many, and sadly, the least sought after and least understood. But the first step is to issue the challenge and face ourselves. In any of these four areas, we must face ourselves and overcome our fears, our pride, and our sloth.
What is it that you have always wanted to do that you are afraid to do? Or that seems hard to do? What is it that you truly want? Or truly need? Challenge yourself. Stand up, and challenge yourself!
See you next month, John D.
August 1, 2013
" Challenging Ourselves"
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