Stepping stones
Buddha said, 'What you are is what you have been. What you will be is what you do now.'
We all face challenges every day in our lives — personal, professional or societal. They test our resilience, strength and determination. However, it helps to remember that challenges are not obstacles, they are stepping stones towards growth and development. It is said that behind every challenge lies an opportunity, waiting to be discovered and embraced.
Our immediate reaction on facing a challenge is often full of doubt, uncertainty and fear. But with a calm frame of mind, when we think objectively from an elevated state than the problem state, solutions become visible. It's possible to acquire this state of mind through a cleansing process, by letting go of the previous impressions of the problem or challenge, and developing lateral thinking and an ability of discernment.
In Rumi's words, 'The wound is the place where the Light enters you.' Challenges are not meant to break us but to build us up. It is often in our darkest moments that we discover our greatest strengths — we are forced to dig deep within ourselves and find the courage to persevere. So, we need to accept challenges joyfully and cheerfully and see the beautiful triumph emerging through that.
