‘To everything there is a season’ says Ecclesiastes 2:1. There is a time to weep and to laugh, time to love, time to gain and to lose, time to keep and to throw away. Indeed God has made everything beautiful in its time. So it is required for all human beings to go through both ups and downs that life brings to understand life better. But often times we accept only life’s cheerfulness and failed to realize that unfortunate experiences are all part of the process called life. In fact when we encounter difficulties we tend to feel inferior, angry and even questioned life itself instead of facing the music and making the best of the opportunity to achieve our goals and to grow. So how can you take the challenge that life brings by the horn and ride it. Firstly, you should accept difficulties; delight it because it is temporary. “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly” with hope you also can come out of despair situations that darkened your life just like a caterpillar because these little misfortunes are the very reasons that will make you appreciate the light of life more. So whatever hardship you are struggling with, be it at home, work, relationship and at times even within ourselves you should not sink into the circumstances but should let it shape you to make you strong so that you can fly even more higher than before. Secondly, you should be firm in yourself and your identity. Be proud of yourself because you are wonderfully made. You are capable, smart and beautiful. Channel your abilities to cater your passion because that can build your self esteem. Only when you find value in yourself you will be able to stand firm in every situation and no stone thrown at you will cut you deeper that your ability to heal it. Thirdly, set a goal you want to achieve in life. Setting a goal is one thing and achieving it is another, you should not let lives’ struggles be obstacles that block your way to the road of success. Discipline yourself and change your victimize mindset to stop when things don’t go your way but have a mindset to channel every obstacles into stumble blocks that requires to mould you in the right path of achieving your goal. Remember when you have a purpose in life; no thorns can stand in the way of you blooming into a beautiful, breathtaking rose flower. Fourthly, take small steps and do not quit. Only by winning the small battles you will be empowered to face the war and achieve victory. When dealing with obstacles, simplicity is the key. Prioritize your life and break it down into manageable goals, and then progressively work on each one of it according to priorities and your abilities until you successfully reach your desired end. Lastly you should remember obstacles are just things that are there to teach you and strengthen you for the journey that lies ahead. The hurt, pain, dilemma, confusion, misfortune, etc that tries to break you are just momentary experiences and it is up to you to define its effect in your life. Don’t let it control you; instead get it under your control. Be calm while dealing with obstacles; patient with the outcome; discipline with the strategy applied; confident in yourself and never to give up. Don’t ever let the obstacles prevent you from achieving your goals. Let’s have a glance of the life of the 16th President of United States, Abraham Lincoln who had to face the music of life before actually enjoying the melody played by it. He was unsuccessful in business (age 21), miserably lost legislative elections (age 22), faced untimely death of his beloved (age 24), suffer a severe nervous breakdown (age 27), defeated in Congressional race (age 34), face failure of becoming a Senator (age 45), failure of becoming a vice president (age 47), finally became the President of USA at the age of 52. From his story you can see how he turns life’s despair and failures into something that strengthen him to reach his goal. He did not let his failures and struggles define his fate but he let his determination and willingness define his destiny. Life is a continuous learning process so take your time to learn and appreciate the lessons that life brings and also don’t forget to be grateful for its blessings. Remember B. C. Forbes words “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heart-breaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats”. Hazel Berret Wahlang Documentation and Project Officer St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama Kohima, Nagaland
