Struggles and Growth

[Ann]

A theme may seem to have been put aside, but it keeps returning--the same thing modulated, somewhat changed in form.
--Muriel Rukeyser

No struggle we have is really new. It's another shade of the struggle that plagued us last week or perhaps last year. And we'll stumble again and again until we learn to quit struggling. The trying situations at work, or the personality type that irritates us, will always exist. But when we've come to accept as good and growth-enhancing all situations and all persons, we'll sense the subtle absence of struggle. We'll realize that the person we couldn't tolerate has become a friend. The situation we couldn't handle is resolved, forever.

The lessons we need to learn keep presenting themselves, until we've finished the homework. If we sense a struggle today, we can look at it as an assignment, one that is meant for our growth. We can remember that our struggles represent our opportunities to grow. Fortunately, the program has given us a tutor. We have a willing teacher to help us. We need to move on, to be open to other assignments. No problem will be too much for us to handle.

I will enjoy my role as student today. I will be grateful for all opportunities to grow. They make possible my very special contribution in this life.

No struggle we have is really new. It's another shade of the struggle that plagued us last week or perhaps last year. And we'll stumble again and again until we learn to quit struggling. The trying situations at work, or the personality type that irritates us, will always exist. But when we've come to accept as good and growth-enhancing all situations and all persons, we'll sense the subtle absence of struggle. We'll realize that the person we couldn't tolerate has become a friend. The situation we couldn't handle is resolved, forever.

Ahh yes, acceptance is key. So many times I've proven this to work when I do it, yet I don't work it often enough.

Thanks for the reminder Ann.

[Ann]

No struggle we have is really new. It's another shade of the struggle that plagued us last week or perhaps last year. And we'll stumble again and again until we learn to quit struggling.

I've been told that if I draw on the experience I acquired struggling in the past, that my new struggles will be less overwhelming. I'm a slow learner

Thats a good piont too. Reminds me of the insanity of being active, doing the same thing repeatedly expecting/hoping for a different result.

I have some on-going struggles that I keep choosing to handle my way, hoping for a different result, even though I know the answer.

Maybe today I will change how I handle one struggle.