Taking Time To Reflect: Dealing with Life’s Inescapable Tribulations

Life is a journey that each of us take with its requisite ups and downs, joys and sorrows, peaks and valleys. A universal truth to all life is that it does not come without tribulation. Whether it is navigating the realm of high school, vying for success in a career, struggling with our personal relationships or dealing with the myriad of other issues that arise, the stickiest of life’s problems often evoke questions of who we are and why we continue to meander down these thorny paths when they could be circumvented.

Rather than simply asking “Why is this happening to me?”, it is important to delve into the these situations, look deep within ourselves and take an honest evaluation of the role we are playing in the tribulations we face. It may be difficult, given deep pain or intense frustration, but it is essential to make sure that you not only acknowledge the flash of anger or resentment, but also realize that by understanding the conditions leading up to them, you will have greater insight into the situation, giving you newfound power.

When life throws us a curveball, one of the most important things to do is to take a step back, breathe, and develop a plan. Visualizing key life moments with clarity and thoughtfulness can help us tremendously. It gives us an opportunity to confront problems in a manner that lessens our fear, hones our focus and gives us a chance to pause and assess our options before proceeding. Allowing yourself space to reflect is a way to unify ourselves with our decisions and then see what options lay ahead of us.

It is important to remember that no matter how difficult a situation may seem, it ultimately becomes a test of character and steel. Tribulations challenge us to adapt to life’s growing complexity, evaluate our outlook and push us ever onward along life’s path. As one of the most important human goals across generations has been to try and make sense of the world and its chaotic forces, it is not surprising that those who approach adversity with a thoughtful attitude often rise above the clutter and eventually find solutions to their predicaments.

By acknowledging our emotion and thoughtfully dissecting our problematic issues at hand, we can regain some semblance of control and power in our lives. We can channel personal qualities such as courage, self-reliance and determination which can give us hope during dark times while being flexible enough to survive the tumultuous waters of life. This can manifest itself virtually everywhere, from intense personal struggles to the seemingly minor moments in which we find ourselves questioning our decisions.

Much of life is accepting that no matter how hard we plan, think or try, there will be moments of doubt and confusion. Even the oldest, wisest among us squirm and falter despite the test of experience. Knowing how to tackle and evolve through both the small and large tribulations of life will help to strengthen us, no matter the outcome. It is a lesson learned from times of contention and moments of healing, bringing us closer and closer to finding an inner peace and willing necessity for compassion which will carry us into our next set of tribulations.

It is this courage to face our obstacles and learn from them that ultimately bridges the gap between the present and our desired future selves. Instead of looking at life’s toughest issues as an impassable block, we should instead choose to see them as an opportunity to grow, better ourselves and claw our way out of the mire faster and smarter than before.