Joel Osteen Moment

It doesn't matter how hard the struggle is. It doesn't matter how many times we've failed. All that matters is the effort and time we put into something we truly believe will eventually pan out. Sometimes its best to learn things the hard way. Sometimes it takes awhile, but with every failure comes a blessing in disguise. We don't have the ability to understand how everything works in the grand scheme of things. That's why we have to hold our faith strong, even when everything around us seems to be crumbling before our very eyes. Sometimes it's the only thing that keeps us going. Sometimes it's helpful to change the channel. We have to quit worrying about the stuff we don't have. Let's try reversing the focus. Lets pretend we already have everything. What now? What do are we going to do with it?

How many people do you know who are miserable? These people could be the most successful businessmen, salesmen, Vice presidents of major corporations, whatever. If they make so much money and have so many fancy possessions, how could they be so miserable? Sometimes it just doesn't seem possible. The truth of the matter is, if we're not happy with what we already have, chances are we won't be happy for what we get later. That's just the attitude some of us have. I've learned that often times, the more you appreciate the struggle, the more satisfying the reward will be. And by 'appreciate', I don't mean that we should glorify hardship. On the contrary, we need to accept it for what it is, a necessary challenge in order for growth. It's not easy to appreciate a challenge. It can be scary at times. But we need to have faith that every challenge will help us grow. Plus, the way we respond to challenges define who we are, and how we approach things in the future. That's what tenacity is all about, the ability to move forward, regardless of circumstance. And there are challenges we may never overcome. Mountains we may never to be able climb to the top. But that's okay. We hust be confident that other doors will open along the way. You see, our energy is like a magnet. It rubs off on others and that is so important. Especially when our master status is defined by something other than our material or physical prowess. However you view success, if you ask anybody who is successful they will tell you they didn't get there by themselves. Somebody gave them a break along the way. Somebody gave them an opportunity. If you go into challenging situations with a defeated mindset, even after a big win, you'll never maintain long term gratification.

It took me a while but I've learned that it's impossible to be discouraged if you always find a way to be grateful about something. It's a fact that we all have been blessed with certain things other people do not have. It's also a fact that there will always be somebody in a worse predicament than us or somebody who has it harder than we do. What's my point? Suffering is relative. It's all on perception. For example, a struggle is bad and a challenge is good. They both basically mean the same thing but the connotations drastically differ. Whatever it takes, we need to find some value in how we approach things, what areas we succeed in, and what areas we have trouble with. Sometimes, the grand prize isn't so grand after all. It simply acts as a distraction from what's really important – appreciation of the present tense, and all the blessings or good breaks that got us this far in the first place. Continue to strive for growth, but that consistent appreciation is so important because that's how we build faith – faith in our abilities, faith in God, faith in good karma, whatever - as long as we have faith in something. The good thing about faith is that once you have it, you can use it to carry you. It also helps reassure us, it provides us the evidence we need, that even though things may seem insurmountable right now, you know deep down inside – that based on what we have already achieved, there will be something to gain from whatever roadblocks or icebergs we are facing right now