exfordy. Creative Commons license.
exfordy. Creative Commons license.
exfordy. Creative Commons license.
The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more to me than any qualification I ever earned.
—J.K. Rowling, in her 2008 Commencement Address at Harvard University
I like challenges. I figure getting into situations which stretch my mind and my resourcefulness is like going to the gym every other day to use the weight machines…it’s just a part of keeping fit. In this rapidly changing world we’re bound to encounter new circumstances to deal with, and our best security is to keep developing our skills. That attitude of lifelong learning is also a great way to feed our souls… to keep feeling fully alive. The trick is to find something that grabs our attention…something challenging enough to give us a feeling of accomplishment, but not so much of a stretch that it feels overwhelming.
That last part has been the real challenge for me the past few weeks. Looking at WordPress templates and style sheets was intimidating until I realized it was just like learning a foreign language. I lived in Germany for six months and France for thirteen, so I’ve had experience with jumping into a new environment with limited knowledge. Some basic grammar and vocabulary is enough to get started. Then a good dictionary, a willingness to learn, and a lot of resourcefulness can turn the situation into an adventure.
So that’s been my approach to revising my WordPress themes. I still have a lot to learn, and I’m certain to run into new problems/”learning opportunities”, but I can do a lot more than I could two weeks ago, and I no longer feel lost. I now have some basic knowledge to build on.
What about you? What are the challenges in your life right now? What are you learning from them? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Thanks to bikehikebabe, Shilpan, Darren, David, Rachel and Adebola for comments on last week’s post.
12 comments ↓
Jean,
WOW! What a great post you have here. I know I have a lot of catching-up to do because I have been away for long.
There is an article I wrote about challenges some years back and I can’t place my hands on it now. But the truth about challenges is that they make us stronger and wiser.
We should all be happy with our challenges. Let me leave you and everybody here with a quote I saw some hours ago. I may not be able to quote it verbatim but I will try:
“The difference between little people and warriors is that warriors see challenges as opportunity to grow while little people see them as blessings or curses”
That got me thinking when I saw it and didn’t realise I was coming to see your article on Challenges
Have a BEAUTIFUL week my friend.
Adebola
30 some years ago, I was in a Light Opera production in our town. Backstage we were telling what we wanted out of life. I said I wanted to be strong (physically).– I’d forgotten I said that.
It’s still true but at 75 it’s a challenge. I work out at the gym 1 hour 50 minutes- (not open on Sunday), lift heavy weights at home, hike & do my housework. I know you’re not suppose to do this every day, but I do. I feel well, but sometimes it’s overwhelming.
I’m hoping that as I get stronger it won’t be hard. If you don’t do anything, you’re sent to a nursing home weak & feeble.
P.S. I forgot the stretches (at home) are a must. Also relaxation.
All this takes time.
Thanks for the quote and the pictures! I would love to be brave and jump into another country, another culture.
Adebola,
I love that quote. I think of myself as a warrior, too…in your sense of the word, not the idea of fighting with people. I did go to your site and read your post…I’m glad you found it and republished it. Thanks for the link.
bikehikebabe,
You’re an inspiration to us all. It doesn’t matter what our passion is, the important thing is to pursue it. And you certainly are doing that!
David,
Could you start learning about another culture before leaving home? I’m thinking of a friend who tutored Japanese visitors in English and started learning Japanese herself. She eventually lived in Japan for a year. By the time she went there she had a good background.
I’m glad I’ve failed at so many things as it makes life less troublesome when you learn to appreciate the things you have accomplished!
Jean,
I see myself as a warrior too. A friend just started learning Web Designing and was with me this morning and started asking some questions about designing. He was marvelled at my responses knowing fully well I didn’t attend any formal computer training school.
Where there is a will, there is always a WAY!
For those that wish to read my post on challenges, visit the link below:
What Adversities Do To Us
Darren,
I agree, what’s the big deal about “failing”? Worrying about it can be a trap.
Adebola,
I learn best by doing, with the help of books and sometimes other people, rather than by formal courses. It’s lot faster. It’s sounds as if you’re the same way.
You are right Jean. We are birds of the same feather
I’ve always believed there is nothing anyone can do that I can’t and what I tell my students is that if I can, THEY TOO CAN!
Have a great day my friend
Jean,
Leaving my family and friends to embark upon a new life was the tipping moment in my life. It was the journey of boundless challenges – New country, new culture, new reality. After all, I feel that it was well worth decision. I believe that knowing certainty of misery is far better than avoiding misery of uncertainty.
Please visit my blog when time permits.
Shilpan
Shilpan said, “I believe that knowing certainty of misery is far better than avoiding misery of uncertainty.”
So well said.
Shilpan,
Good for you!
Your latest post on living a recession-proof life is timely. My husband and I have always done that, and we’ve been very happy living well within our means. It’s such a liberating way to live.
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