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How To Transform “Challenges” Into Power
Think back to the last time you were experiencing a challenge in your life...
How did you manage it? What did you do? What did you tell yourself about your situation? Did you come out on the other side more aware, empowered, and ready to keep growing? Or did you limit your power and stifle your growth by blaming others and wallowing in self pity?
Times of challenge are really life's way of "testing" us to help us grow and evolve to the next level of our own development. Challenges are also meant to wake us up and teach us what we need to learn the most. And it's SO important to really understand how to handle life's challenges so we don't get stuck repeating the same mistakes over and over again!
In the video below, I share with you a little bit about my personal challenges over the last few weeks, what I've learned from them, and how YOU can use your next "challenge" as a catalyst for empowerment, freedom, and unbelievable opportunity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTLqxXQYLb8
So what challenges have you experienced that have impacted your life? What did you learn from them? Please share your thoughts, comments, or feedback down below. I'd love to get an empowering discussion going, so all comments are much appreciated!
And if you enjoyed this post today, don't forget to pass it on! Share it by clicking on the Twitter, FB, Digg, or other social networking buttons down below. Thanks so much for hanging out here today with me! Enjoy the rest of your day and make it a GREAT one!
;-)
Yours in True Power,
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Hey Katie!
Super great message today…
We live in a world of contrast,
otherwise known as ‘things we don’t
want’.
The Universe is set up this way for
a reason… as contrast stimulates and
creates desire, without it, most desires
would not happen.
Desire is life force, without it we
would cease to be…
Thank you for sharing your experiences
with the community… your transparency
is beautiful:)
.-= Eric Goldstein´s last blog ..Thank Someone Who Has Touched Your Life… =-.
Thanks again Katie,
One thing we all have in common; Challenges!
I hope you get better soon.
Praise God you are still with us!
Cheryl Veon
When life throws us curveballs it’s important to behave like water and go with the problems not against them. By behaving like nature we live more in the now.
I totally agree with your thoughts on the importance of health in our lifes. Without health we really don’t have anything.
.-= jeff´s last blog ..Where am I =-.
Katie, I have just went through and still going through some challenges and you are right there is a lesson I am learning and I have accepted it and moving on and things are looking up. Thanks for sharing and allowing us to share. Glad you are okay!
.-= Lori Robertson´s last undefined ..Response cached until Tue 29 @ 20:20 GMT (Refreshes in 10 Minutes) =-.
Katie… First I want to say that my heart is with you and I am so happy that you are feeling much better and well from your experiences this past month. Many prayers, positive thoughts and happy vibes heading your way girl!
The second thing is I wanted to share my hardships the last month also (It has been a very difficult one for myself in many ways too). I too had one thing after another happen to me that at the moment they were happening didn’t realize why but took it with stride and allowed myself to be guided (After much meditation and taking a step back)… I will share this only to relate and let you know that what you said truly has helped me. Not by any means for a pity party as I am so very thankful at this moment for all the hardships I did have to go through.
These are just a couple things that happened… About a month ago my Mom was driving my car and got in a terrible accident. She got body lash on the entire right side of her body (thank goodness it was not any worse), my car was completely totaled and we were left without a car for 3 weeks. Walking in the Phoenix heat with my two daughters and using buses and taxis to get by (as the liability finalization had to be there to get a rental). In addition we were supposed to move to another state by the end of this month and because of the accident our savings and plans were gone. It took the insurance companies to get us the check for a new car almost a month. On top of that I also got that terrible flu going around and a week later had caught a even worse cold.
Now as I sit here after all this happening. I am so very thankful that I allowed myself to take a step back, that I understood that it was all there for a reason and somehow a lesson was to be learned from it…
Because of these challenges…
I learned first and foremost that I must trust my intuition and follow my heart. That I need to stop guarding myself and being fearful of life changes. That I need to stop running back to comfort and step out to what life is going to unfold for me (that is where I was moving, was back to a place I was comfortable and had lived before). That I must take much better care of myself, what I eat and exercising much more often. I also learned just like you to start allowing myself to actually live here and now in bliss, in the moment and slow down just a bit. Spend each day with my daughters (who are everything to me) and take the time to be happy each and everyday…
Oh I also got a new car I love! My Mom is in the process of healing! A house I love with a big, huge pool in the back yard and a nice little savings stashed because of the car insurance settlement!
(Just thought I would throw that in there)
I just want to say THANK YOU for this post Katie! The right day, right time and hit me right to the heart. I needed this because I honestly am still trying to work with the situations that have happened and now know that I am heading down the right path! I am soaking up all that you said and will definitely come back to this post often!
Thank you! Thank you! And so excited that you are feeling better and shared this with us!!! HUGS!
.-= Jennifer May´s last blog ..My Top 20 Reasons WHY NOT To SURRENDER To Life’s Obstacles… But OVERCOME And FACE Them =-.
Wow, thank you SO much for sharing Jennifer! I love the great wisdom you’ve learned from your challenges! Keep shining
You are such an inspiration Katie. You may have encountered a few challenges recently, but instead of feeling that your life sucked you CHOSE to be grateful for what you had in the situation, lived in the moment, and will now become a better person from your experiences.
Keep up the inspiration – I love it!!
.-= Primal Toad´s last blog ..Primal-Paleo Smoothie Recipes =-.
Katie,
Glad you’re ok…praise God!!! One of my very favorite sayings by my mentor, Joyce Meyer… “You can be pitiful or you can be powerful…but you can’t be both.” As a mother of 3 and grandmother of 3, I am motivated to set a good example for my kids and grandkids. God left us a manual called the Bible and it only makes sense that if we want success in EVERY area of our life…then we need to read the manual. God bless <
Love the quote!
Hey Katie,
That was really good. This really helped a lot. I’m also one that believe’s very strong in universal law and it’s intangible karma. You hit the nail on the head when you said the challenges will continue to present themselves until you get it. That is profound and considering it a priveledge to experience it to grow. The mind races sometime and has to be controlled to keep that inner peace but for me I feel comfort knowing that I’m not the only one who feels this connection. Thanks and take care!
-Vincent Glover
.-= Vincent Glover´s last blog ..Erase Buyers Resistance To Build A List Of Loyal Of Customers =-.
Oh my goodness Katie. I got the flu the same time you did. I too hadn’t been that sick in a long time. God has been telling me for years to slow down. I didn’t listen so He MADE me slow down by giving me the flu
I’ve had to make some major changes that will in turn be so much better for me 
Thanks for sharing this girl!
.-= Emily Giuffre´s last blog ..Katie Freiling’s the Unified Tribe- Make Social Media Work for You =-.
Katie – as I watched this video, I couldn’t help but laugh. I had always felt a connection with you the first time I “met” you online. Perhaps it was our red hair gene, or maybe it was the fact that you teach so many of the things that I am passionate about. But as I watched this video, I was in the dr’s office, waiting for him to remove a cancerous spot from my face! Same place too, from what I could tell when you pointed to your face!
I was up all night with my 11 month old who apparently had a flu bug, since she vomited all over everything in the middle of the night. Very scary for a new mom!
AND, my husband and I suffered a very serious rollover car accident in March 2008, 3 weeks before our scheduled wedding. I had a serious injury to my foot, resulting from the truck rolling on top of me. Needless to say, we had to postpone the wedding for 3 months. I didn’t even know if I would be able to actually walk down the aisle or not. I was very depressed, grieving over our lost wedding plans and favorite vendors that we couldn’t rebook, and just pissed off at the world.
After our wedding, (I did walk down the aisle, but with a VERY swollen foot), several very sentimental items from our ceremony were stolen. On top of that, my wedding band and custom-made engagement ring were stolen from the hotel in Maui.
You can imagine how devastated I was at these events that, like you said, just kept happening “one after another”. I questioned everything, blamed everyone, and played the victim. I was depressed, bummed, and it was sometimes hard to enjoy this special time in my life. I could go on with several traumatic events that happened in our family recently, but the point is: I had to really step back (after allowing myself to feel everything, to grieve) and count my blessings: I still have a foot and can walk, I am married to the man of my dreams, I finally got a new ring (after 2 years), and am enjoying my new momhood. I was still able to work my at-home business during all of this, and I am so passionate about what I do. I learned to accept all of my situations, and you are right, it is so important to develop personally and reach that next level in your evolution. I am a MUCH different person after going through many of these experiences, and it has made me realize just how lucky I am to have all the good things in my life.
Thanks for making such an honest, genuine, and insightful post. I always appreciate your candor and openness!
Summer
.-= Summer Gehrke´s last blog ..Duplication is the key- =-.
Holy cow! That’s pretty darn crazy
Thank you so much for sharing Summer, it’s really great to get connected with you and hear your story! Let’s be in touch 
Yes, I agree. It’s all about attraction and what we attract to us. Thought and feelings can control your life.
Reach forward to greater thoughts and great things will happen
.-= Martin´s last blog ..seo expert advice =-.
Hey Katie,
I was starting to wonder where you were
but I am glad to hear that everything
worked out
I think sometimes in life we tend to
take for granted even the little things
that we don`t realize how truly important
they really are.
I just had a quick question for you about
your blog because I`m just setting mine
up right now. How did you create the
“Like My Blog? Share It On Twitter“
widget?
I definitely would like to add a feature
like this to my blog so if you know a
resource for adding it please let me
know so I can add it myself.
Thanks so much for all that you do and
I am very happy to see that you still
have such a positive attitude despite
the challenges you have been going through
as of late.
Have a great day!
Speak soon,
Michael Stead
.-= Michael Stead´s last blog ..Hello world- =-.
Katie! I’m so happy to hear you are well! It’s important to take care of yourself.. inside and out. Thank you for this post. I felt like you were speaking right to me. I needed to hear this as I am going through the hardest time in my personal life but through it all I am more motivated and empowered than ever.. and I have you to thank for a lot of that!
To your health and success-xoxo
Lisa Phillips
.-= Lisa Phillips´s last blog ..Soba Noodles Stir fry =-.
Hi Michael! That’s a program called viral tweets (www.tweetsgoviral.com)
Hey Katie. I’m really happy to have watched your video today. I have been having a very bad health problem recently. I have been bottling up some unresourceful emotion for quite sometime now due to recent event that make me lose faith in myself. I have decided to face myself properly and to stop justifying things. Thanks again for the video. I believe that the universe is speaking to me through your video. Thanks for making a difference in my life.
Hey Katie!
Awesome message today…
Yes we definitely grow from our challenges
because there is always lesson behind each challenge.
Glad you are better
Thanks again for always reminding me Katie…:)
As we have a lot of experiences in our life choose what do we want to be and just experience it as a real game we would like to play, and feel it……yes just feel it up to the worst or what so ever until we feel it just like to die !!!
So the rule are:
1.Accept the worse.
2.Feel the worse.
3.Change if we can, otherwise…..JUST ENJOY IT UNTIL DIE !!!
Great video Katie, it’s funny how history tends to repeat itself until you learn the lesson its meant to teach you. That’s probably why humans still have wars all the time eh among many other things.
Keep on rocking,
Matthew Neer
.-= Matthew Neer´s last blog ..Have You Squared Up Yet =-.
Hey Katie, interesting perspective as usual, listening to you always reminds me of the Monty Python song “Always look on the Bright Side of Life” as you have seemed to have this as an inbuilt sensor somewhere in your being. The thing that is really interesting about all of these things that are happening to you at the moment is the timing that they are happening as it is all surrounding your birthday. I guess that it’s not really the birthday presents that one would usually expect to be getting. But like you’ve pointed out there are lessons to be learnt.
This is how I would interpret what you’ve been going through you might accept what I have to say, or then again I may be completely off track, but lets see how this goes ….
You said that you had a head cold :
Where your head is becoming so filled up with thought coming from here there and everywhere, so fast and with so little clarity that you have been forced to slow it all down by basically knocking you out with a cold in order for your head to be able to process and filter out that which is not needed allowing greater clarity of everything that has been taken in. Or it could have just been a virus that you’ve picked up because at some point your immune system has dropped down allowing it to take over you body.
The Cancer that was cut out from just below your eye:
From my understanding cancer is the fruition and crystallization of anger, because of the positioning of it within your body I interpret it as anger towards the feminine aspect, so it may have been something that you’ve seen happen that you’ve not dealt with or it could be an observation that you’ve experienced to do with something spiritual. Or it could just be that you’ve spent too much time in the sun without protection and you’ve managed to accumulate a skin melanoma that has been growing slowly over the years.
And Finally your Car Accident:
It could be as you’ve pretty much covered in your video that you are going through your life with blinders on (bit like the ones that they use for horse racing) where your only seeing the direction that your looking and going at such a pace that your loosing site of the life that is constantly surrounding you in every moment, and it’s directing you to be much more observant of everything that with you in each and every moment of “NOW” that you are experiencing that co-insides with each and every breath, which effects every particle of energy that your being co-exists with, or it could just mean that who ever was driving the car which caused the accident should pay more attention to what they are doing and not be so aloof behind the wheel.
Well I hope that this helps give some clarity, but if it doesn’t then maybe your process of elimination through meditation and acceptance will bring in the clarity from the lessons that are being taught through these events.
Love, Light, Blessings and Universal Hugs
Klay
Hi Klay! Wow, thanks so much for sharing your insights. I can definitely see some truth in what you’ve shared! I appreciate you!
Hi Katie
I agree with you totally. Great message and very important.
It is so easy for most most people to become victims in times like you went through (even if they are minor).
Well said.
Sue
.-= Sue Price´s last blog ..Start Your Home Based Business like a Business =-.
Firstly thank you for sharing your thoughts. Despite all of the events that have taken place, you still radiate sunshine :0)
The key in your message for me was being in a state of acceptance. As this is when you will receive and allow harmony to move in! In soo many areas of my life I have arrived at this point and it is amasing the opportunities that have come my way. The universe is answering my prays.x
Be well … You’re heading the right way. Glad you’re OK and love what you’re sharing with us.
Thanks for this great post Katie.
Katie,
Thanks for writing this post , i find the information that you have shared of great value to the people that i connect with and going to pass this on to my tribe. I look forward to reading more from you.
Chris
.-= Chris Bernardo´s last blog ..Stop Trying to be the GURU-Specific Niches =-.
Hi Katie – Many great reminders there!! My comment is that it is a good job you have a network marketing buiness set up so that at least you didn’t have to worry about the financial side of things!!
I’m trying to learn how to connect with people properly in this Internet age we live in and maybe you will take a second or two to check me out…I’d appreciate that.http://cathysugden.ning.com/
Cathy in the UK
.-= cathy sugden´s last blog ..Paul Bursey left a comment for cathy sugden =-.
Right on, Katie!
Sorry to hear you’ve had a bout of less-than-desirable events lately…but happy to hear that you are healthy and whole again.
We all need to be reminded now and again to just slow down and take a few moments to tend to the betterment of our health–mentally, physically AND spiritually.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Katie! We love you!
Heather
.-= Heather Taskovics´s last blog ..Let’s Be Authentic Together- Or- Learning How to Stand Out in a Crowd =-.
Awww, thank you Heather! Love you sister!
Katie -
Great video! I agree that we can learn lessons from the things we experience. The experiences that we have (whether good or bad) shape our lives in so many ways. It helps us in relating to others, gaining wisdom, and evaluating what is important.
Thanks for giving us all a reminder of the incredible gift of difficult times.
Carla
I like to ask the question ‘What is the gift in this experience?’ – I like that more than ‘What is the lesson?’. The idea of ‘lessons’ for me implies that we are not masters yet. The idea is not to become something we are not yet but to discover what we already are…
In the absolute sense, of course we are already there… But it’s really our mind and our ‘conditioning’ that needs the lesson
Hey Katie,
This definitely relates to my latest posts. I’m writing all about negative body obsession and how to get over it. Once you feel like you are settling it’s easy for negative thoughts to enter our lives. It’s definitely a challenge a lot of us are faced with everyday. Using your challenges and turning that into personal power is a great way to get rid of negative thoughts!
I’m so inspired by this post that I send you a keyword rich link to this post on my latest post! That way others can learn how to use their challenges and turn it into power when trying to get rid of negative body obsession. (http://www.shayleegregg.com/setting-a-powerful-intention)
Thank you Katie!
.-= Shaylee´s last blog ..Negative Body Obsession- Get Rid Of It And Improve Your Life =-.
Thank you Shaylee! You’re awesome!
My Angel Katie!
It’s nice to see you back on video and in good health! Hope you had an awesome birthday too!
Thank you for sharing your life and challenges with the world – we are all better for it, because we learn so much from you.
It appears the Shift is affecting everyone in much the same way. Glad you’re getting through it all and coming out on TOP!
Much Love and Appreciation,
Namaste!
Much love to you Krisna! Keep shining your beautiful light!
Hey Katie, tks for sharing…
I was nice to see this thoughts ordained in such a clear and logical way…
tks again.
Giovanna
.-= Giovanna´s last blog ..Idéia Brilhante- =-.
Thanks for sharing, Katie.
I think there are two things to keep in mind about challenges in addition to what you said.
1) They tend to get bigger the longer that you try to ignore them. This shows up a lot with health challenges. You can deal with simple problems and not make any significant changes. God or the Universe (your choice) will keep throwing bigger wake up calls until it gets your attention.
2) No matter what the challenge is, it will never be bigger than what you can handle with the resources that are provided to you.
.-= Wayne Woodworth´s last blog ..Do You Have a Label =-.
Thank you Wayne!
Yet again, very powerful stuff Katie!
Also very deep and philosophical.
I must remember all that you talked about the next time I face a challenge, as you rightly state… there’s a lesson in everything.
Thanks for sharing such a personal message with us.
Keith
Hi Katie-
I appreciate you sharing this video and how challenges are for growth. Are we not challenged the first week or so when we’re learning to tie our shoes? When we’re adding 2+2? Of course life’s challenges present themselves to varying degrees every day. When we recognize the upside of our challenges, we’ll embrace them instead of resisting them.
Bill
Katie, you ROCK! You are a rare and unique person who REALLY ‘gets it’. You understand what life is really about, and you are able to convey it to others. You are giving back in a way that few can accomplish. I have become addicted to your posts.
.-= Mimi Ward´s last blog ..Free eBook Offer- =-.
Katie,
I really needed to hear this message. Over the past few days, I have been facing some challenges and it has been tough for me to understand what was going on in my life. I realize I needed to take more action and stop talking about what I’m going to do.
.-= Laticia ´s last blog ..A New Science In Network Marketing =-.
Katie, So good to see and hear you. I had my biggest challenge four and a half years ago. I teach fitness classes and experienced a freak accident at the gym (fell hard). I did go to Emergency that night, but they said nothing was broken. Three weeks later, I could hardly walk. I went to Sports medicine and the new x-rays showed I had a hip fracture.
After surgery, I could not put any weight on my leg for seven weeks. No driving, no working out, and then rehab. It taught me how to have lots of compassion for my students and others.
Once I healed, I am now back teaching 12 group fitness classes a week, and am thankful for every minute.
Chris
Good post Katie. There are too many messages from popular culture and media telling people that they get more mileage out of victimhood than from taking grip of their lives. Too often, people over-think themselves into a frenzy and forget to take action.
Thanks again.
.-= Lou Kawakami´s last blog ..Can you trust supermarkets for sustainable seafood =-.
Hi, Katie
So glad that you’re all right from your recent challenges (especially the car accident). We all go through challenges, and I’ve heard someone comment that “things” happen in threes – interesting that three things happened to you which made you take the time to reflect and realize you had to make some changes to take care of your body.
I loved the way you explained your process for dealing with these challenges: acceptance, reflection and action.
Take good care of yourself, and I look forward to your next post.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Rising out of difficult times- interview with Nancy =-.
Dang Katie, don’t kill yourself! We need you. You are deffinately not alone. The Universe has opened up a can of Woop-Ass on me for quite some time now and it is time for me to muster up the mojo and say “Quit it Universe!”
I pray that every day God blesses me with the wisdom and knowledge to make good decisions and right actions. I will strive to do well in all things so that I may overcome the stronghold the world can so easily take hold on us.
Keep it going and hope to see you someday soon.
Respect!
Ryan K
.-= Ryan K´s last blog ..Curtis who Internet Income Academy what =-.
Haha! A can of woop-ass is a beautiful thing!
Hey Katie,
Thank you for sharing with us today. You are such an inspiration and guiding light in our community.
Great message today and I couldn’t agree more. I think that challenges, although we don’t always realise it straight away, and provided we do eventually realise it, cause us to stop and assess everything around us enabling us to grow and develop as spiritual beings.
I’m so thankful that you are on the mend and so glad to see you back on deck. I missed getting your emails to my inbox.
Take care of yourself
Love Megan
.-= Megan´s last blog ..In development- =-.
Katie,
first of all I’m very happy that you are all right from your challenges.
Challenges are part of our everyday life and we must accept them. Acceptance is probably the most difficult part for most people: it’s easier to feel you are the victim of circumsances rather than taking responsibility for what is happening to you.
To the process that you have outlined in your video I would also add anoter step:”Forgiveness”. When you express your feelings and emotions, often you feel guilty or you hate yourself for what happened. Forgiving yourself is important in order to move forward.
Thank you for this beautiful and inspiring video.
Paola
Indeed! Thank you Paola!
hy katie,
this post just forced me to think back about how I reacted to challenges.
i tended to hid myself for challenges that would have raised my mind and gave me the opportunity to get a step further in my life.
as a result i didn´t succeed because of running away so i gave the fault the system or other people…..
challenges are one of the most important parts of the growing process!!!
if you are not willing to face challenges and be open for new things you can´t grow.
you should see each challenge as a positive part of your success journey.
all the best
gerald
.-= Gerald Gigerl´s last blog ..Overcome Writer’s Block With Plinky Prompts =-.
It is 6:45 AM here in Sedona AZ and your timely post was a perfect way to start my day. You are a gift and a light in the world and thank you so much for sharing your experiences, it helps me to know you even better.
Perfect message for me. I am a good doer and action taker however understanding the underling energy of my actions is essential. I have been noticing a definite pattern in my business building especially in relationship with one area of my organization with my primary company.
I decided to stop and assess what I saw going on. It is funny but when I reflected back on a previous business I was in I had a very similar experience.
This pattern was slower to develop in my present business however it has shown up again. My intention is to take enlightened action not just action for action’s sake.
To paint a clearer picture I have one part of my organization which is growing and duplicating like a house of fire and I have another apart of my team where people I have involved in my business are having numerous personal challenges.
I have been personally going through adrenal and thyroid exhaustion which took a huge toll on me over these last six months.
I looked at how I use my energy and also where I place my energy. Because I so much want everyone to have a break through I realized I sometimes spent too much energy with those who are not currently ready.
Intellectually I know better however emotionally I am still letting go in this area.
I noticed while I have been in the midst of personal physical challenges that I was also sponsoring and working with people in this one area of my organization that were also having extreme physical and health challenges. At one point all I could do was laugh and acknowledge this was going on.
Because of our compensation plan structure, it has greatly impacted our income as of late. I am asking for insight to clear and release this energy and to shift how I use my energy to be healthier for me and everyone I’m working with.
I was not intending to write a book but there was a reason I saw your post this morning,I know there are no accidents.
I know I am rapidly moving into the online world, really taking a close look at my personal branding and the energy I want to foster to attract those who are equal or even greater partners with me and all that we create together.
If you are inspired to respond I’d love to hear your insights and thoughts.
Again, thank you for this very timely post and sharing your personal world.
Faith
.-= Faith Barnard´s last blog ..The Power of Online Connections When You Take Them Offline- Meeting Kary Rogney in Person =-.
Hi Faith! Thanks so much for sharing… I’m sorry to hear about everything you’ve been going through… But you’re absolutely right! We have to be very mindful about where we invest our energy. We can tend to waste a lot of our energy on situations, people, thoughts, ideas, fears, concerns, and much else, which ends up leaving us exhausted! Take care of yourself and cherish your own personal energy
Very timely message Katie, thank you for sharing your experiences and reminding us to look for the lessons in our challenges. Like you said, it’s one thing to know, but it’s another thing to take action on what the lesson is trying to teach you. I currently am faced with a couple of challenges that have been lingering so I now must take your advice and ask myself, “What is the lesson to be learned here and what do I need to do differently, or who do I need to become in order to move beyond these circumstances?” Thank you Katie for always being an inspiration. Glad all is well for you!
Kitara
Thank you for sharing sharing your experiences you’ve had in the last several weeks, Katie! So…… glad you are feeling much better! I agree with you ~ I believe God gives us so many signs to change our lives for the better and He also wants us to go out there and make a difference in the world. You can not argue with the Universe! We need to go deep into ourselves and truly look at what actions we are taking and what the outcomes are ~ positive & negative. I have already put your lesson into action by organizing my day better, taking my vitamin formula and exercising consistently ~ It is amazing what happens, when we do what is right.
Katie,
We missed you!
I’m happy to learn that everything is OK now and glad that you’re now on the upswing again.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”
Here’s my take on challenges — LIFE IS A CHALLENGE. PERIOD.
When I was 22, and after having already served several months of my year-long tour of duty in Viet Nam, it finally dawned on me one fine day (sorry, then as now, I can sometimes be terribly slow on the uptake) that I could very easily get myself killed randomly over here by one of those damnable, high explosive-laden, Russian-made rockets that the other side used to send our way every so often apparently according to nothing more than their particular “whim of the day.”
Ok, dying at 22 is a creepy enough prospect for anyone to entertain, but it was the “randomly” part that really creeped me out.
I mean actually having the lights go out permanently just because I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time just plain struck me as absolutely so incomprehensibly stupid and meaningless that it threw me headlong into what you might call an “existential crisis.”
So I had my moment of truth, and I sat down with myself and I said, Look, Dale, you’re only 22 years old and let’s face it, you basically don’t know squat about life.
So if you get out this place alive, what do you say you make a vow to diligently dig beneath the superficial glitz and glitter of this world and see if you can’t discover the deeper meaning.
And thus began my spiritual quest; and so it continues to this day; and so I fully expect it to continue as long as the Universe grants me the sweetness of yet one more breath.
So as a truthseeker I traveled the world and chased down gurus and participated in all manner of extreme experiences, all in an effort to find the true meaning of life.
But finally I gave up. I was lonely and road weary and I had come up empty. Pretty much a bummer really. But at least I had found out where the answer wasn’t.
So I decided to try the householder route. I met a beautiful woman; we fell in love, we got married; we bought a house; we build a business; we raised two kids; we fell out of love; we got divorced and we went our separate ways.
Well, gosh Universe, faithful to my Viet Nam vow, I tried the wandering truthseeker scenario for years, then I tried the domestic householder scenario for twice as long, but still nothing definitive.
I mean, I’m still game, but I honestly just don’t quite know which way to turn at this point. Any thoughts?
Then one fine day the meaning of life just kind of spontaneously percolated up to my conscious awareness —
LIFE IS A CHALLENGE. PERIOD.
And as simple, or even simplistic, as this may sound, it really was a revelatory moment because it caused me to realize that all of my years of truthseeking and all my years of householding had actually been a veiled attempt on the part of my infantile, regressive ego to “FIND THE ULTIMATE MEANING OF LIFE” in an effort, however innocent, tacit and/or subconscious, to at last discover and forever bask in some fantastical, nirvanic womb state where life is no longer a challenge.
Ho-ho-ho! Ha-ha-ha! What folly! What futility!
It’s like trying to remove the liquidness from water.
So in a way as roundabout as ironic, I finally did find the True Meaning that I had been searching for so long –
LIFE IS BY ITS VERY NATURE A CHALLENGE.
Accept it. Revel in it. And dare to love it, truly, truly love it, just as it is, no matter how challenging it may sometimes present itself.
So, as Zen is my witness, “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”
So what now? Well….
Yes, of course, our most precious, irreplaceable things will still continue to break or get chewed up by the dog.
And yes, of course, our most practical things will still continue to rust, wear our, get used up or get lost.
And yes, of course, still, even those most beloved people, situations, places and things that our heart would most fervently want to last forever, will not.
This is just the way of the world because this is just what makes life the challenge that it inherently is.
So what’s the take home lesson?
Get good, really, really good, at facing and resolving challenges, and thus get good, really, really good, at embracing and enjoying the true meaning of life.
Make a game of it even, and have some fun with the challenges as they arise.
So what the hay!
“Every day, in every way, things are getting better and better!”
Onward ever upward, Katie!
D.
Hey Katie,
I’m so glad you are feeling better and you’ve taken note of the things you are needing to change and pay more attention to. I know it’s sometimes hard to focus when it seems that you barely have time to stand up and get your balance before then the universe knocks you on your butt again. We’ve all been there. Thanks for reminding everyone of the choices we all have in these situations. You can take notice and make a change and keep moving forward or you can sit in dirt when you get knocked down. I’m so glad I’m meeting more and more people who choose to get up, brush the dirt off, make the needed changes and keep going!
So here is to getting up and moving forward,
Have a Great Day,
Staci
Thanks Katie,
Whenever I’m feeling down or think life’s
too overwhelming, I’ll just go back and listen to
your incredible story.
Thanks again,
J. Gibson!
.-= JGib´s last blog ..Fruit Rx To End Insomnia- =-.
Hi Katie,
Glad to hear your well after this experience. I’ve been researching health for many years. If you’re interested in a few things you can do to never be sick again, email me and let me know.
Stay Well,
Michael
Hi Katie, thanks for sharing the lovely stories. You videos are always inspiriting
You know, as I was resting on my bed in pain and hoping my migraine would go away soon. My 2-yr old son came by my bed and called “mommy mommy” as he pulled my blanket. For the whole morning he didn’t get much time with me because I didn’t have the energy to do anything. He wanted to hug me but instead, I told him to go down stairs. After he left the room, I had a moment for myself … I then realized that tears were running down my pillow. I hated myself for not having the energy to be with my love ones. Not able to walk with them to park, make milkshakes together, or even simple pick them up and hug them. I realized that when you are not feeling well, you cannot be your true self. You tend to be impatient, your angriness causes your love ones around you feel uncomfortable and sad. When you do not have the health, it is affecting a lot more than you can imagine. As you said taking action is important, so I decided that I’ll go for jog a few times a week to keep my energy level healthy. And I have been doing it for a few months. Thanks to mother-nature for the warm weather, I am able to jog round the blocks regularly. Although I have tried to take action, I have to make sure that I stay committed to my decision, to my action. Commitment is very important! After all, I would rather go for a swim with my children than resting on bed with a headache.
Cheers to stay healthy!
HyVong
My wife gets migranes often. Have you tried Maxalt or Relpax? I realize that big pharma isn’t the answer but sometimes you have to if the pain is too much.
.-= jeff´s last blog ..Twitter PPC is Here =-.
Thanks Kaite,
I have definately had my share of challenges, and Im glad to see how you react to yours! you take them and turn them into lessons! not only for yourself but to empower others to recognize that Its not what happens to you that counts but how you react to what happens to you that makes all the difference in the outcome of the challenge itself.
By not giving it power over you but instead stealing its power and using it for good!!
Thanks for all your help!
Niko:)
.-= Niko Mercuris´s last blog ..Is your life advancing In the right direction =-.
Hi Katie,
I just watched this video and it’s so timely for me. The universe has been sending me this message for weeks…I need to get out and get more exercise. I’m going to commit to doing this …I believe that balance in my physical, mental, spiritual and emotional being will only bring me a complete successful picture.
Thank you sooooo much. Tracy
.-= Network Marketing Sweetie´s last blog ..How To Use Article Marketing To Get More Leads =-.
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