During a recent significant storm with 70+ mph winds, I observed these geese leave their resting place under a tree and move into the center of the lake – facing the wind and rain.

This started me thinking about how we approach challenges and difficulties in our lives.

Certainly, it depends on the situation. 

Sometimes you may need to retreat to explore a best next action. However, retreating into avoidance is not going to make the challenge disappear. And, it may expand it even more.

Other times, being curious about the challenge and exploring it directly can open up new possibilities. 

Perhaps your perception of the challenge or difficulty is greater than it actually is. Perhaps you are unaware of who else is involved or is willing to bring solutions to you. 

Until we inquiry into or share about our challenge or difficulty, we don’t know what we don’t know.

Suggestion of an approach when facing a challenge directly:

1. What am I experiencing?
2. What belief or perception may be influencing how I’m experiencing it?
3. What do I want instead?
4. What would it feel like to experience in this situation from that perspective?
5. What action becomes possible from that new mindset?

This shifts the question from “How do I get past this challenge?” to something more expansive:

“What would become possible if I were no longer approaching this challenge from my old way of seeing it?”

And perhaps the most powerful question of all:
“Am I avoiding this because it isn’t right for me or because it asks me to grow?”

By exploring a challenge or difficulty rather than avoiding it, you may discover a hidden gift or growth opportunity. 

[Photo taken by me]