*by Samer Majzoub

We humans experience different phases in our life, many of which have us facing challenges of different types, scales, gravity and significance. Very regularly we face complications in our social interactions, our careers and in other experiences. The way a person approaches and deals with these complications will reflect their true character. It echoes the real “you”, while others would try to pin the blame on anything and everyone except themselves.

The challenges, difficulties and problems that everyone deals with will differ in detail and particularities. However, they all carry similar characteristics that allow for similar methods of tackling, fronting and eventually passing through with fewer losses, less suffering and more prominent chances of regaining normalcy. Therefore, the fact that each obstacle is unique does not mean similar solutions are impossible. Essentially, it is the person themselves is the determining factor on whether a proposed solution works or not.

There are various techniques to face challenges effectively.

“Every so often, instead of turning towards life, we instead evade it.”

Every so often, instead of turning towards life, we instead evade it. However, if we want to be present, we must orient ourselves towards reality. Life becomes more manageable and enjoyable if we adapt to realism and avoid fighting the impossible. Adapting to reality does not translate into surrender or admission of defeat in any way; quite the opposite. It actually gives someone the opportunity to work towards a better situation by using rational and balanced approaches rather than extreme moves that end, in most cases, with more unique hardships.

“It is easy to wallow in the drama of our problems. Although it may seem odd, our misery can become a “comfort zone” and our effort to fight it can dissipate.”

It is easy to wallow in the drama of our problems. Although it may seem odd, our misery can become a “comfort zone” and our effort to fight it can dissipate. By counting our troubles rather than our blessings, our despair becomes our new norm. This attitude undermines our ability to draw from the good that we have been given and to see our lives, fundamentally, as a gift.

“One of the most self-destructive moves is negatively compromising our relationships with those we love or those who care about us.”

One of the most self-destructive moves is negatively compromising our relationships with those we love or those who care about us because, in misery, it can become easy to neglect what matters most. These relationships are not maintained without effort; they grow and are sustained through attentive care and hard work. Mature love in all types of relationships is a dynamic, living experience. It requires commitment to keep it working and it accepts the reality that we will hurt one another and be hurt by one another. We cause pain and through love we try to heal; we express our concerns and we stand accountable for our faults; we learn to forgive and we accept forgiveness of another. In the end, love helps us genuinely work towards reconciliation and a healthy compromise, and thus, is essentially used as “repair work”.

“Avoiding extreme emotional reactions to difficult issues is a key action in order to be able to correct the way we deal with problems. In many cases, irrational reactions can lead to very serious mistakes being made, which can make getting out of problems even tougher for a person.”

Avoiding extreme emotional reactions to difficult issues is a key action in order to be able to correct the way we deal with problems. In many cases, irrational reactions can lead to very serious mistakes being made, which can make getting out of problems even tougher for a person. At one point, the individual sinks deeper into uncertainty, regret and lose of energy to the extent where their original issue becomes trivial to the newer problems caused by their rash actions.

“It is the enemy within you that can be the most dangerous trigger for self-destruction.”

It is the enemy within you that can be the most dangerous trigger for self-destruction. It is the part of you that puts you down and damages important support systems. It can convince you to compromise your beliefs, values, and convictions, and it distracts you with material pleasure. It is your most vicious antagonist, preventing you from regaining normalcy.

“The first step in fighting this internal enemy is to acknowledge that there is an enemy and that you will need to develop the willpower to fight against it.”

The first step in fighting this internal enemy is to acknowledge that there is an enemy and that you will need to develop the willpower to fight against it. You will need you keep your spirits high, strengthen your values, sustain your relationships and avoid believing that your mission is an impossible one. In the end, a victory over the enemy within you will ensure that your challenges will not leave a lasting impact on your life.