There is a profound truth that we must accept.

Life doesn’t always go perfectly.

It’s not always a bed of roses. Struggles come.

Crisis raises it’s ugly head. Trials and tribulations beat down our door.

Sorry I’m not more upbeat and positive, but it’s something you (WE, ME) have to hear!

But, it is during these challenges, or quickly after, that we must decide that the challenge will make us stronger or we will let it defeat us.

We grow or we wither.

It truly is our choice.

9 ways to overcome life’s challenges.

1. Motivate yourself

I promise you, if you are constantly having those conversations with yourself and saying the words “I can’t”, “I won’t make it”, “I can’t do this” then you will NOT overcome. Hands down. Guaranteed. You have to become your biggest supporter and your biggest fan. Motivating yourself with the “I CAN DO IT” attitude and spirit will be the most potent fuel you can have.

2. Be cool

When you are in your challenge you have to remain cool and level headed. I know it’s easier said then done. But, it’s important to remain cool and calm. Take a deep breath. Focus. Remain calm. And then move into action.

3. Be positive

This almost is the same as #1, but not quite. Remaining positive is a critical component to overcoming challenges. You have to find the silver lining around the dark cloud and remain positive about your ability to overcome. In fact, I love the scientific fact of what truly causes silver lining around clouds. In nature, when you see the silver lining around a cloud in the sky, it’s because the sun is directly behind the cloud causing the top layer of the cloud to look lighter because its thinner and less dense than the rest of the cloud. What’s beautiful is that sometimes the silver lining can be slightly blinding to your eyes because the light can reflect off the water droplets so that when you view it, it is blinding. There is a silver lining.

4. Have a support team

Friends are important. Family is important. We aren’t made to live life in a solitary world. (Loneliness call kill you). So, it’s critically important that when you are going through challenges you must reach out to others for support, if for nothing else for someone to listen to you and give you a hug.

5. Write in a Journal

I am a huge advocate to the power of writing in a journal. Writing in a private journal is the perfect way to get all your emotions and struggles out into the open. Write down your thoughts. Be truthful with yourself. Allow the emotions to spill out onto the paper. I am a HUGE advocate of hand-writing your journal on paper. This is a connection between the words in your head traveling through your body to the physical paper.

6. Celebrate your successes

Give yourself credit for past successes. When you are going through a life challenge, reviewing your list of life successes will help fuel your spirit of the “I CAN DO IT” attitude. I mean ANY success. If you managed to pull off cooking a huge holiday feast 15 years ago where you and you alone fed 40 people crammed into your house, THAT was a success. If you are able to clip coupons and feed a family of 4 with $50 a week, THAT is a success. Write down your success in a notebook and keep that page handy to give yourself a “pat on the back” when you need it. Because, we all need a pat on the back!

7. Connect with nature

Many studies have been done and are being done to prove that our environment impacts our psychological welfare. In other words, being in nature positively impacts our psychological and physical body. One of those studying this is Mark Berman.

8. Lean On God

Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?”
This first suggestion may seem so trivial, but it has been my greatest strength to overcome life’s challenges. When I didn’t feel I could take another step and when the future seemed less than rosy I had to lean on someone stronger than myself. Because of my personal relationship with Christ, I was able to use His strength to move forward. When fear and doubt slammed against every cell of my being, I had to reach out to the awesome power He could give me.

9. Seek out challenges

WHO in their right mind would seek out more challenges. Just like people who want to build muscle must lift weights, we must strengthen our resiliency to challenges, but overcoming challenges. Have you set a recent goal that pushes you out of your comfort zone? Nothing will help you to feel stronger and more capable by stepping out of your comfort zone, pushing the limits and succeeding in a “planned” challenge.

I recently completed a Video Blogging Challenge where I filmed 60 videos in 60 days. I overcame the battle of slow internet, slow uploads to YouTube, and a family crisis that blindsided me and knocked the wind out of me. I could have thrown in the towel at any time and said “I quit”. But, I didn’t. I finished. Now I have this HUGE feeling of accomplishment and, YES, am VERY proud of myself!

I encourage you to believe in yourself that you WILL overcome the challenge you face!  I believe in you. You CAN do it!

Hugs and feathers from the nest~~()~~

Kim Steadman is the COOP (Chief Online Operating Person) for The Re-Feathered Nest. A place of encouragement for moms entering the Empty Nest Zone who are ready to RePurpose and ReDesign according to God’s purpose for their lives now that the kids have flown the coop. Kim can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheRefeatheredNest and on Google+ at +Kim.