Challenges

How many of you are facing challenges? Now I am not talking about the challenge of deciding what to wear today or what to make for dinner or what movie to watch, although for some of you that may seem like the end of the world type decision.  Are you up for a new challenge?  Don’t worry, it’s not planks or push-ups.

If you didn’t say yes to the facing challenges question, then there is a good chance that you are simply existing and not living. Before you get mad at me, please here me out.

Challenges come in many forms. You may be facing financial challenges – debt, monthly bills and how to put food on the table. Maybe you are facing health issues. These can definitely be scary as you begin to realize how frail the human body actually is, especially as you grow older. You could also be facing challenges at work, or school or in relationships. As you can see there are many things in life that can be challenging and we have to face them.

You will always have to face the previously listed challenges, but the kind of challenge I want to present to you today is a “Challenge to Grow”. And I mean grow personally. Challenge yourself to grow in excellence in all you do. To do that, you need to step out of your comfort zone. You probably hear that phrase often, but unless you do it – nothing will change and you won’t grow.

We have talked a lot about goals these past couple of months, but in order for you to achieve your goals – you have to grow. You have to change. You have to do things differently than you have done. If you live this year the same way that you lived last year, nothing will change. You have to make deliberate conscious choices to step out and pursue your dreams. If you do, you will begin to grow and mature.

How does a seed turn into a tree? That seed dies, splits open and begins to grow. It begins to grow into what it was destined to be. That dying part is what is hard for us. To grow you have to change your habits and the practices that are hindering you from growing.

Scientists have found seeds that are thousands of years old, but with the right circumstances those seeds are still able to grow. The same is true for you. It is up to you to create those circumstances in your life for you to grow. Stop waiting for someone to do it for you.

So what’s it going to be – same old, same old? Or are you ready to grow? Are you up for the challenge?