To be successful you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can't just accept the ones you like. Mike Gafka

Good morning!  The first time I read this quote, I smiled knowingly. When I started my first business at age 22, I still believed in a very black-and-white concept of fairness. I believed that if I worked hard enough, good results would come my way in work endeavors. I believed that if I lived in a loving, caring and compassionate way, my personal life would be full of loving, caring and compassion.

I am now 32 years old, and realize that life is fair in the long-term, even though it rarely seems fair in the short-term. Often what we "think is fair," is actually one-sided, and we can't see fairness until we have grown, stretched and visited other perspectives and places.

I do know the quickest way to make life unfair and stay "stuck" is to not accept everything life brings. When we become picky or choosy about what we accept -- trying just to extract the good and leave the bad -- we shutdown to the balance and fairness of life. Often "the bad" comes for a reason. It comes to make us grow; it comes to make us see something new; it comes to challenge our spirit and build our soul. When we refuse to welcome this "bad," we refuse to welcome that growth.

Some of my experiences that looked so awful at face-value, ended up being my best teachers. They carried me to places I never could have reached without them. Had I not gathered the courage to accept these challenges, I wouldn't be writing this email this morning.

Your Turn:
Where in your life have you been trying to just "take the good and leave the bad?" What challenge does life have for you that you have been avoiding because it doesn't seem "fair?" As February comes to a close, I challenge you to accept all that life offers--the good and the bad. During the month of March, I encourage you to meet a challenge eye-to-eye, welcome it, and see where it might carry you.

Your Affirmation:
I understand that each of life's challenges is vital to reaching my full potential. I embrace and welcome these challenges with open arms.
 

Challenge Life!

Brook Noel