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Bend — Don't Break When Tested
By Ty Howard
There is a Japanese Proverb that reads, "A mighty Oak Tree will snap in the harsh winds. However, a gentle Willow will bend and adapt to survive."
It's fair to say when comparing the two aforementioned trees to life, "One must sometimes be more flexible then they are firm in order to endure the winds (Tests) of life."
Tests are meant to make us—not break us. Tests are a part of life's great process. Tests make us more aware, more experienced and better prepared for what life has in store for us. Tests strengthen our will and spirit to do more and be more!
We all have our own journey, coupled with our own string of tests. Some of us may experience tests that are very similar; on the most part, your tests are meant especially for you. There all yours to deal with, work out and work through!
The results of these tests are two-fold: some people are strengthened and some people are broken when hit by the many many "Tests of Life."
If a person spends his or her life quitting, avoiding or running from their string of tests, they only set themselves up for periods of delay, decay and dismay.
Those who take on the "Tests of Life," like the character Conner MacLeod in the 1986 movie "Highlander," grow stronger and live longer because they decide to go head on into life's tests. They do not spend their lifetime running from the "Tests of Life."
What mode are you currently using? Are you running to new levels of life or away from life period?
Whenever you encounter a test that is difficult, painful or one that knocks you down, simply say and believe, "This too shall pass." Then continue to say and believe, "This too shall pass."
Work out and through all your tests! Don't quit! Complete all of them! Win, lose or draw!
You will be glad you did.
Through my experiences in life, each and every time I've been tested thus far—I've been able to bounce back to a level much higher then the one I was on before the test arrived at my door.
One memorable experience for me, was when I fathered my now thirteen year-old daughter in my senior year of high school. This was definitely a TEST!
A test so strong that I profoundly asked my expecting daughter's mother on the day she told me she was pregnant, "How did that happen?! I kept my eyes close like the guy in the comic book, didn't I? You saw me."
Nonetheless, my eyes were open on February 27, 1988, the day my daughter was born.
In the beginning, I continuously asked myself, "How will I, a young boy raised without a father figure present, raise this gorgeous angel of a child? What about the girls at school? And the age-old powers and wisdom of the comic book?"
The true test turned out to be—me growing up, becoming more responsible and less reckless with how I was living my life. In the first two years of my daughter's life, I managed to make the necessary changes in my life to bring my daughter and me new life and opportunities. I told myself, "You helped to create this angel, you are responsible to raise, love and nurture her throughout life."
Just because I didn't have a responsible father in my life—did not mean I couldn't be one. I learned how to become and stay a responsible, active and present father role in my daughter's life. My daughter and I are the best of friends, and we're constant cut-ups together in public.
What's wrong with having a little fun?
Your tests may not be like mine; however, your tests will still come to your door—uninvited and more then once. Know that tests, just like problems, almost never show up one at a time. If you're not being tested right now, you most likely just worked through one or there's one on the way. Brace and prepare yourself for the winds do change.
Don't stand still on the lookout, like a watchtower saying, "Is that a test?" Just know "life" is going to happen at one time or another!
It was Ramakrishna who said, "The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need to do is set our sails."
There's no better time then right now for you to prepare and set your sails. Take ACTION!
Another powerful way to work through the "Tests of Life" is to ask for help from dependable caring people. It's been said since history began, "Two heads are always better than one."
The "Tests of Life" sometimes are so challenging and painful that you have to lean over and ask someone else, "Hey, let me see your answers."
Begin today developing yourself in to a gentle Willow. When the winds (Tests of Life) come—bend and adapt. Work through them! Grow stronger! The plain you will end up on will have a welcoming group of opportunities, significance, better health and happiness.
You deserve and are worth continuous experiences of new levels of opportunities, significance, better health and happiness. Aren't you?
I know and believe you are!
Go ahead... Work through it! Bend—Don't Break When Tested!
About The Author: Ty Howard of TyHoward.com is one of America's TOP and
in—demand business and motivational speakers on the circuit. He's an
expert known for inspiring, teaching and empowering professionals and
individuals to achieving lifelong success. To subscribe to his FREE
bi-weekly e-zine 'The Inspirational Booster': Click Here
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