Is it possible to prepare for future difficulties and use them to your advantage? If so, how would you go about doing it? Let’s explore this subject to unearth some wonderful opportunities.
Difficulties
Life is full of many things, some good and some bad. No one escapes them — everyone gets their fair share of each.
Many of us think of difficulties as being on life’s “bad” side, but are they? Sure, they force us to choose to do something or attempt to ignore it, but is this really all that bad?
Difficulties go by many names, such as trials, mishaps, and failures, always affecting us somehow. Every living creature inevitably faces problems requiring hard choices. Most of these choices require something to change, however small it may be.
The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus stated two and a half millennia ago:
“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.”- Heraclitus (535– 475 BC)
Life
Since difficulties are part of life, what exactly do we mean by the word “life?” According to the Oxford Languages dictionary, its definition is that we have the “capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.”
But what about the most significant part of life — experience? There is no mention of it in the dictionary, although the definition alludes to it as “continual change preceding death.” Without difficulties and continual change, life as we know it would not exist.
Everyone must face struggles, failures, disappointments, trials, and temptations. But what about what it takes to thrive as a human being? Overcoming, successes, triumphs, and victories? Added to our ever-so-crucial relationships, these things make life what it is.
As mature people, we must accept the bad and good, the difficulties and challenges with the overcoming and successes. This is reality. To deny it is to deny our existence. It has been this way since the fall of man in the garden and will remain so until we breathe our final breath.
So is there any good news in all of this? Yes!
The good news about life’s difficulties
Each difficulty speaks something into your life. Something you must face, change, alter, struggle, or fight to overcome. Why not find the good in these challenges instead of fearing or complaining about them?
The good news about the difficulties we face comes from accepting them. Welcome them for the opportunities they give to help you grow. There is an old saying by the famous Spanish author of Don Quixote:
“The man who is prepared has his battle half fought.” Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616)
In preparation for life’s challenges, you enter the land of reality, accepting the good and the bad. By recognizing this fact, you enter the position to move forward and create something else, something new — the life you desire. When you become willing to take life as preparation, you have genuinely fought half the battle. You are on the road to becoming a winner. You enter the land of reality instead of denial.
Look at what one of the greatest inspirational authors of all time, the founder of Success Magazine:
“We win half the battle when we make up our minds to take the world as we find it, including the thorns.” Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924)
Life is a battle, meaning we must forge ahead through many skirmishes to overtake the enemy. Now this is no ordinary enemy. As Pogo humorously stated:
“We have met the enemy and he is us.” Pogo — Walt Kelly (1913–1973)
The other half of the battle is us! You and me! We can be our own worst enemy. The thing about this enemy is it is ours for the taking. We need only accept that life will happen, filled with good and bad, each bringing us a great deal of opportunity! Why not become determined to win the battle of life?! What do you have to lose?
Final thoughts
In summary, dealing with life’s difficulties involves accepting reality and preparing ourselves with the right mindset. Take the attitude of a winner and believe in yourself.
Look at all you have already overcome. You have won half the battle when you use this experience as preparation for what is to come.
In short, all that is needed now is to take on yourself by changing your attitude and mindset. It will make all the difference in the world. You can do it if you want!
Sure, you may fail at times, but you can always choose to get back up, push forward, and win the fight. Remember the words of the famous coach:
“Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Vince Lombardi (1913–1970)
Ultimately, you can win the many skirmishes you encounter and conquer the battle of life!
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