We Can Learn from Difficult Experiences

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that?  We must have perseverance."

~Marie Curie

Sometimes it is the perserverence in the face of those challenges that brings us the greatest rewards.  No great inventor or researcher "discovered" their solution in their first attempt.  Many had to work at it over and over and over again.  Those difficult challenges in our work or our life can help us discover what is most important.  They teach us about our character, and best of all, they teach us that we can survive and we can succeed in spite of how difficult life may be.

This week:  Think about difficult things you have had to overcome in your lifetime so far.  What have you learned from them?  What did you learn about yourself?  Although you may never have wanted to have those experiences, how have they shaped you?  What positive gifts did they give you?  The knowledge that you could survive?  A belief in yourself?  An inner strength?  An appreciation for what others have to endure as well? Write down what you uncover.  How do they serve you in your life now?  What role did perseverance play for you?  Can you apply those things you have uncovered in other areas of your life?

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people overcome negative experiences from the past.  She helps clients uncover the positive learning from those experiences so that they can utilize these resources as them move on.  She has over 30 years of experience, and her business, Inner Resource Center, LLC, helps people find the resources to transform their lives.  For more information, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .

Facing Challenges Requires Character

"The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges."

~Martin Luther King Jr.

We all face adversity at some time or another.  We all have challenges in our lives.  Our lives don't always run smoothly.  When we face challenges and controversy bravely, meeting it head on, it tells others about our character.  It is easy to face life when things are going smoothly.  But to take on the challenge takes courage.  When we face life with courage, we have the capability to achieve our dreams.  To do that, however, requires that you believe in yourself and your convictions. 

This week:  Do some thinking about how you handle challenges.  Do you face them head-on?  Do you try to avoid them?  Do you sacrifice your convictions in order to placate others?  Think about how you have faced up to the challenges your life so far.  If you don't like what you see, make a commitment to change it.  Examine your beliefs.  What do you believe in SO PASSIONATELY that you would stand up for it even if others didn't agree?  This week experiment with expressing that belief in a few settings.  Notice what happens. 

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people face adversity and challenge.  She coaches them in finding the positive learning from negative experiences so that they can move on in their lives.  For more information go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/