The Power of Hardships

Today's culture is rooted in ease, comfort, and convenience.?

The entire world is at our fingertips. Our phones can call us a car to pick us up and bring us wherever we want, stream endless content for our viewing pleasure, and order anything we want to be delivered in a mere few hours (or, worst case scenario, a day or two).?

We get frustrated over delays of any kind. What happens when the internet on a plane is slower than our hardwired home? Frustrated! What happens when it takes an extra few minutes to get our fast food order than average? We treat it like it is the end of the world. Despite the world going faster and easier, we are becoming more frustrated and impatient. We don't know real hardships and challenges as our lived experiences rarely approach actual challenges.?

Going through a hard time is never easy, but it can be a valuable learning experience. We can grow and develop in ways we never thought possible during these challenging moments. Here are five things that can be learned during a hard time.

1.?Resilience:?Hard times can test our emotional and mental fortitude. We may feel like giving up, but we can develop resilience if we learn to push through the tough times. This skill can help us bounce back from setbacks and challenges in the future.

2.?Empathy:?When we go through tough times, we can develop a deeper understanding and empathy for others who are also struggling. We can offer support and comfort to others going through similar experiences.

3.?Self-awareness:?Hard times can force us to look closer at ourselves and our lives. We may identify areas where we need to grow or change. This self-awareness can help us make positive changes in our lives.

4.?Perspective:?Going through a hard time can shift our perspective on life. We may appreciate the good things in our lives more and learn to see challenges as opportunities for growth.

5.?Strength:?Hard times reveal our inner strength and resilience. We may discover that we can handle more than we thought possible. This knowledge can give us the confidence to tackle challenges in the future.

While hard times are never easy, they can be valuable learning experiences. By developing resilience, empathy, self-awareness, perspective, and strength, we can emerge from challenging times stronger and wiser than before. Instead of running from the slightest discomfort or challenge, use it as an opportunity to improve yourself. Dig down deep and build on your character to weather the storm. There is certainly a point at which you will need to get help if things get out of control, but it shouldn't happen every time you encounter a challenge.?

One side benefit is that our updated frame of reference will give you a better perspective of a real challenge compared to an annoyance. This new understanding will help others better understand their lives and challenges.?

What have you learned through a challenging time? How did you grow? Feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or questions.