Blessings in Disguise

When facing challenges and obstacles in life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and pessimistic.  Most of us are used to viewing challenges as negatives – they hold us back from achieving our goals and feeling happy.  Has that been your perception too?  Yet, if you look closely enough you’ll usually find that every challenge contains a blessing in disguise.

If you learn to shift your perspective so that challenges no longer seem so troubling, you’ll empower yourself to both appreciate and learn from them!

Below are 5 simple questions that can change your outlook when it comes to challenges:

1.  Can I learn anything from this?

It’s common to feel like challenges are personal affronts to us and our goals.  We end up feeling like the “powers that be” are picking on us and purposely trying to trip us up.  However, if you learn to see challenges and obstacles as potential learning opportunities, each one will hold a brilliant glimmer of potential!  

2. Can this experience make me stronger and more powerful?

One reason why you feel overwhelmed by challenges is because you don’t feel strong enough to handle them.  If you instead view each obstacle or challenge as an opportunity to strengthen yourself from within, each challenge after that will seem less and less intimidating!  The more you overcome, the stronger you’ll feel, and the less likely you are to be held back in the future.

3.  Can I use this challenge to my advantage?

You’re probably used to viewing challenges as disadvantages – or even full-blown losses.  But is that really true?  Most often you’ll be able to find a way to shift circumstances to your favor if you step back and dispassionately observe the situation.  

4. How can I help others through this situation?

Your goals affect not only your life, but the lives of others too!  Besides your efforts impacting the lives of others, keep in mind too that some people may see you as a role model of sorts.  The way you handle challenges is often the way they will handle their own challenges too.  By persevering through all obstacles, you inspire others to do the same.

5.  How can I turn this into a valuable experience?

Challenges and obstacles often hold amazing potential for good, if we’re only willing to open our minds and see it!  When you ask an open-ended question like this, your subconscious mind immediately gets to work trying to come up with a good answer.  If you detach from any specific outcome and allow your inner self to lead, you just might turn a problem into the biggest blessing of your life!