"When life gives you lemons, learn to juggle." -Anonymous
There is a secret place that exists in the heart of all humans. In this place, every one of our worst fears resides--fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of inadequacy, fear of judgment, fear of loss, fear of death, etcetera. But when we closely study each of these fears, a common thread emerges. What we actually fear is the unknown.
As autonomous organisms in a dynamic dance with the rest of existence, there will be no shortage of challenges. Some of them we will be able to predict, but the majority will completely blindside us. To come into contact with resistance and adapt to it is at the core of being alive. Each day is a microcosm of life. There will be a start and an end. There will be highs and lows. There will be failures and triumphs. Rather than let the difficulties get us down, we can use them to our advantage.
Spilled the milk? Now you can treat your cat.
Missed the bus? Now you can get some exercise.
Flat tire? Now you can practice putting on a spare.
Lose a fight? Now you can learn self-defense
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Threw out your back? Now you can make it stronger.
Lost a friend? Now you are reminded of the finitude of life.
Feeling depressed? Now you are being called to find out why.
Heartbroken? Now you know what your heart is capable of.
Defeat arrives when imagination dies. When we can look at bumps in the road with curiosity rather than panic, we open the door to growth. We transform the things that scare us (or confound us) into the things that make us stronger. We become the types of people who turn towards the struggle--who seek out the dark places in our souls and shine a light on them, confirming that there is nothing to fear after all.
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