Many people are afraid of challenges and the fear of these challenges has denied them happiness and satisfaction in life. As far as fulfillment is concerned many are bruised and cast down and they find it difficult to rise because of the fear of challenges. This post is dedicated to allay your fears of challenges. Rising above challenges is the true test of real happiness and satisfaction. You should understand that your success lies in your ability to rise above challenges.
Challenges are not abnormal rather they are normal phenomena of life. And we encounter them every day in our pursuit of fulfillment. In fact, they are realities of life. And every circumstance of life has its own attendant challenges. They are tests that we must all pass to qualify for a life of fulfillment. Challenges test our strengths, skills, and abilities. However, many people in this test have been stampeded and trodden down because of their inability to overcome these challenges of life.
Rising Above Challenges: A top priority
Rising above challenges must be your utmost preoccupation if you dream of a successful life marked by happiness and satisfaction. You must take the bull by the horns and confront your challenges if you don’t want to be a victim of circumstance. Challenges come in the guise of stumbling blocks whereas they are actually stepping stones to a life of success and fulfillment.
Challenges in this regard are difficulties and hiccups which we encounter in carrying out specific assignments or tasks. They have also frustrated the well-orchestrated efforts of many in the pursuit of success. Therefore, rising above challenges should be a top priority for anyone who dreams about success. On the other hand, many have confronted and overcome their challenges. As I said, earlier man is a creature of instinct – Instinctive by nature. And will instinctively fight for survival when in precarious situations. Hence by instinct, you are well enamored to confront and overcome your challenges.
Testimonials
Obviously, your success comes only when you challenge and rise above challenges. Stories abound of many who have found fulfillment in life after they overcame and rose above their challenges. And I would like to share the stories of two such highly fulfilled individuals. In fact, if they could rise above their challenges, then you are well disposed to rise above your own challenges.
At the peak of his football career, a young man was diagnosed with a serious heart defect. His life was threatened; his career was also threatened as well as his destiny. It seemed as if he had come to the dead end of his life and career. The circumstance was a barefaced definition of adversity, one that could ruin his life, career, and destiny. All his achievements were about to go down the drain at one single stroke of a challenge. But he persevered, fought back, and was able to rise above this major health challenge. He went through heart surgery which was very successful and he emerged a conqueror.
Today, we celebrate him as a legend of African football. His name is Nwankwo Kanu a.k.a Papilo, two times African footballer of the year and one of the most decorated African footballers of all time. Many of his exploits came after this adversity. This adversity also gave birth to a Foundation – the Kanu Heart Foundation which has assisted many with heart defects through surgery to correct the anomalies. A lot of people have benefited from the goodwill of this Foundation. This Foundation has put smiles on the faces of little children and young adults in Nigeria and other African countries that are majorly his targeted audience and spared many parents the agony of losing their children. You can see how Kanu rose above the challenge of major health crises, and positively he has impacted many lives.
Testimonial #2
The Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) is a leading non-profit and non-governmental organization galvanizing action against breast cancer in Nigeria. It was founded in 1997 by the first lady of Ondo state Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, who is a breast cancer survivor herself. Today BRECAN is increasingly improving the lives of many victims of breast cancer who would have succumbed to the disease due to ignorance and lack of support. But after her ordeal and survival, she launched a campaign against breast cancer in Nigeria. According to her “I could not keep quiet after I survived”.
She fought and survived the dreaded breast cancer and floated BRECAN to cater to victims of breast cancer. In other words, she rose above the health challenge and she is now impacting the lives of women with breast cancer. No matter how tough your challenge might seem it is possible for you to rise above it and add value to other people’s life. Understand that the big deal is not that you are faced with challenges, many have, and many to date are still passing through challenges. The big deal is how you can manage the realities of these challenges. The way you handle them will determine whether you will succeed and live a fulfilled life.
Manage your Challenges well
You must know that no matter how tough or difficult your challenge might be rising above challenges is possible. But it all depends on how well you manage the challenges. In other words, you can turn your challenge to your own advantage. Bear it in your mind that no matter how difficult or hopeless your challenge may seem you can still overcome it. The secret is your willpower, your determination. You must be willing, you must be determined, you must be resolute. Remember, where there is a will there is a way. So be willing, rise up and take advantage of your challenge. With your determination, you can get yourself up from the dust until you rise above your stubborn challenges.
What are those things that threaten your peace and happiness? You must stand your ground and defy them. The high point of fulfillment is asserting your success even in the midst of challenges. You must attack, demystify, or mesmerize your challenges. Challenges come in various forms and shades. And one remarkable feature of the challenge is that where one challenge ends another begins. But interestingly, the momentary response of many to challenges is that of despair and hopelessness. They are easily intimidated by challenges. They become afraid and want to avoid challenges with utmost carefulness. But the truth of the matter is that in life we are bound to encounter challenges. These challenges are not only temporary, we can also overcome them. And every challenge we overcome opens up a new vista of happiness and satisfaction.
Challenges Make you Stronger
that which does not kill you makes you stronger – Nietzsche
Don’t be afraid of challenges. It cannot kill you but can only make you stronger. No matter the toughness of your challenges you have all it takes to rise above them. As we already know, challenges test our abilities. Through challenges, we are able to discover new talents, while we are able to learn and perfect new skills. Hence, proper handling of challenges brings out the best in us.
Finally, rising above challenges means that you see beyond your present predicament. You can only see the silver lining in the cloud of success when you raise your sight above your present situation. Don’t be myopic in your view of problems, take your eyes off your problems rather look at your abilities. You can attest to the fact that challenges are not forever. For instance, a few months or years back you were grappling with intimidating challenges that seem to sink you but today they have fizzled out as they appeared. Don’t kill yourself because of your problems they are not worth it; rather be optimistic, hopeful, and patient as you do your best believing that you will soon overcome.