Not Rising Up for the Challenge is More Challenging
Approaching instead of avoiding (a republish for new subscribers)
Let’s face it—life can throw some tough challenges our way, can’t it?
It’s easy to slip into the habit of avoiding those challenges.
We think we’re saving ourselves some hassle, but here’s the kicker: not rising up to meet what life throws at us often makes things harder in the long run.
Let’s break this down, shall we?
What are you avoiding?
Think about the last time you faced a challenge.
Maybe it was a difficult conversation with a friend or that daunting presentation at work.
Did you approach it head-on, or did you find yourself making excuses to avoid it?
It’s a common thought: “If I ignore it, it’ll go away.” But just like trying to ignore a dripping faucet, the problem doesn’t vanish; it starts to become bigger, louder, and more disruptive over time, MORE EXPENSIVE IN MANY ASPECTS
Not facing reality creates anxiety
When you choose to avoid the hard stuff, it can lead to a buildup of anxiety.
Imagine you’re in a deep, dark tunnel, with the light of the exit flickering in the distance.
Every time you avoid the challenge, that light seems further away, and every step back makes the job of moving forward more daunting.
Eventually, the weight of that avoidance can feel like a heavy anchor dragging you down.
Each time you skip paying off debt, interest gets bigger. Each time you skip exercise, the harder it gets to start. Not working on a project leaves opportunities on the table.
You not doing what it takes to grow your substack by dishing out value makes you feel shitty. It is in providing value that we feel worthy of living.
Meeting life head on 🫶
Now, picture the version of yourself when you decide to face a challenge.
That same difficult conversation or presentation transforms from something terrifying into an opportunity for growth. Or maybe turn of events that is beneficial for all. A chance to sunergize and collaborate for expansion of life.
By approaching it, you seize control of the situation. It’s like stepping into the driver’s seat of your life. Sure, it might feel scary—like when you first learned to ride a bike without training wheels.
But once you find your balance and learn to steer, you start cruising freely.
Consider a job interview, I coaching call or creating something. You could easily avoid it, telling yourself you’re not qualified enough, fearing rejection or thinking its not worth your time.
But what if you took a breath, centered yourself and shifted your perspective and see it as an opportunity?
Put your best foot forward
You put your best foot forward, and even if it doesn’t go perfectly, you gain invaluable experience. There is no failure, only learning.
You learned to walk, read, write and drive, you can also learn how to create meaningful relationships, business and a handstand pushup. 👍
Each attempt builds confidence, adding to your toolkit for future challenges. Did rejection sting? Absolutely. But facing it head-on helps redefine your goals and aspirations.
Grace often arrives after the struggle
Embracing those hard moments doesn’t just lead to success; it cultivates resilience and character.
It’s a fascinating dichotomy—by confronting challenges, you may seem to be inviting stress, yet you’re actually setting the stage for personal growth.
Once you start, hard turns to ease
It’s a little like climbing a mountain. The climb itself is filled with rugged terrain and steep inclines, but the view from the top? Absolutely breathtaking.
You know when I was starting out I used to sit down and write [comedy] a couple times a week. And then one day I was watching these construction workers go back to work. I was watching them kind of trudging down the street, and it was like a revelation to me. I realized that these guys don’t want to go back to work after lunch but they’re going ’cause that’s their job. If they can exhibit that level of dedication for that job, I should be able to do the same. Just trudge your ass in.
Jerry Seinfeld
Those hardships on the ascent teach you about your strengths, your limits, and your determination.
Easy now hard later or hard now easy later? ❤️
So, while it may feel tempting to take the easy path, the truth is, the challenges enrich our journeys in ways we might least expect.
What challenge are you picking up today?
Facing challenges can ignite change, often leading to evolution.
Think about the discomfort of stepping out of your daily routine.
It can feel unsettling, much like standing on the edge of a diving board, peering down at the water below.
Yesterday, I skipped my evening routine of being on my laptop to accompanying a loved one watch the stars outside and stare at a bonfire.
We listened to its crackle, calibrated a telescope and attempted to look at Jupiter. It was quite peaceful to get out of my own self and experience and observe other lives apart from me.
Your growth is your nature, align with it ☕
By leaping, you embrace growth. You submerge into new experiences, and when you surface, you find yourself transformed.
Watch your resistance to grow. You are being called by life for something big but you keep on insisting to live small because you got too comfortable in chains and glass ceilings.
Allow nature to grow you, like the moth’s muscles before it turns into a butterfly, the sand before pearls and sunlight to an orange pulp.
Purify in thought, physicality, mentality and spiritually. Oh and it's just tasty like perfect pan au chocolat if we see life in a pure view.
Slay the lizard before it is a dragon
While avoiding challenges might seem easy and comfortable, it can lead to a heavier, more burdensome existence.
Think of an ignored debt, bill or ignored flossing and physical exercise. Willful blindness is a choice, learned helplessness can be turned around. Identify obligations gifted to you, your future self is wrapped in that box that if opened will open up a new world for you.
Embracing tests not only lightens your load but enriches your life.
So, the next time you find yourself at a crossroads, ask yourself: “What’s waiting on the other side of this challenge?”
Embrace it. Dive in. The journey may surprise you.
I love doing this with fellow humans❤️
What to cook! 🍅🍅🍅
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Watch reel 🫶
Traditionally prepared in a clay pot for even heat distribution, this comforting dish is a staple in Chinese home cooking. With its balance of textures and umami-packed flavors, it’s a perfect choice for cozy dinners or as a show-stopping main course.
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If you're a mushroom lover, this Shiitake Mushroom & Garlic Spaghetti is the perfect way to elevate your pasta night.
In the tattoo studio
Sarah did a wonderful mountain landscape encapsulating the beauty and power of snow-capped mountains, it also symbolized Kaitlins parents whom she loves so dearly.
What tattoo would represent the most important thing in your life?
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ICYMI ☕
Sacrifice “for” the dream or sacrifice “the” dream
“If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” Lowell Lundstrum
If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is
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❤️And to you!!! ❤️
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Namaste 🙏
Showing up with a full and faithul heart is the only prerequisite for rising to the challenges of life.
This is, once again, a great reminder. My post coming out on Sunday is about the old saying that life begins at the end of our comfort zone and how I'm no longer into it. At the same time, I urge us not to turn away from reality and hard things and to show up fully so I appreciate these prompts which are exactly what I was trying to say!