I was recently talking to a friend who shared some difficulties he was going through. His challenged were paralyzing him to the point he was ineffective at home and at work. As he spoke I sought to not only console him but also provide him some suggestions regarding solutions. But I also had him focus on re-framing his mind around the problem. I challenged him with this: Think back to other moments in your life when you faced difficulties. Perhaps it was a challenging time in your career, a personal setback, or a health issue. In hindsight, we often realize that those rough patches were essential in shaping who we are today. I got him to realize that those previous events made him more resilient, they made him who is is today. Some reflection brought clarity to him. He remembered that that previous issues were even greater than the ones he faced today.
It is important to remember that life is a marathon not a sprint; a journey. We will encounter rough roads that can often be difficult to navigate. These bumpy paths can test our patience, resilience, and optimism. However, it’s crucial to remember that even the roughest roads eventually turn smooth.