Be Grateful for our Struggles
“Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part of training in the Art of Peace.” Morihei Ueshiba
When we are in the middle of hardships or challenging situations, it can be nearly impossible to remember that they are, in fact, our greatest opportunities for growth and self-improvement. Though it does not feel like it at the time, it is actually our struggles and difficulties that encourage us to develop ourselves and cultivate our higher potentials.
When things are going great and life is good, we are rarely thinking about our inner work. Instead, we are usually just floating along in life enjoying the pleasures as we may find them. During these times, we usually don’t take the time to reflect upon our values and what will truly matter to us when our days come to an end. The days simply come and go without us engaging in them in meaningful ways.
However, when times are tough or when tragedy strikes, our attention is directed to what is truly important to us. It is at these times that we look deeply, discover meaning and our own inner resources and overcome challenges. If you look back at your life, you will notice that the times of your greatest growth was often a result of hardships, setbacks, loss and struggle.
With equanimity, we remember this powerful truth pointed out so clearly by Morihei Ueshiba. We understand that the challenges and the feelings that come with them are merely the waves and that we are the ocean. The waves come and go, sometimes fierce and sometimes calm, but the ocean remains, deep and full of potential. Both the challenges and the joys in our lives can provide us with the opportunity to grow if we engage in them with attention and intention. We can more fully enjoy the good times and respond with wisdom to the difficult times. Each of them offers us something to be grateful for. – John Bruna, December 1, 2015
The above is a an excerpt from one the daily emails sent to the members of the Mindful Life Community. I invite you to explore our community and consider joining.
