There is a Spanish saying, “No hay rosa sin espinas.” The translation is, “There are no roses without thorns. Life is rampant with contradictions. Life, death, light, dark, good, evil, ancient, modern, ying, and yang. Many believe our purpose is to find happiness, become rich, or attain enlightenment. But what if the actual reason is to experience and appreciate everything the world offers? Do we not welcome the warmth of the summer sun after the frigid temperatures of winter? Drought sweetens a thunderstorm, navigating rough waters heightens the joy of smooth sailing, and the coronavirus creates gratitude for our health.
There is evidence suggesting when we face challenges, we improve our existence. You know the adage, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Weightlifting tones muscles, solving problems strengthens confidence. Devising creative solutions keeps your mind nimble and amplifies your sense of achievement. When we look at difficulties in a unique light, we can see them as opportunities. They are the catalysts of growth, and a reminder to live to the fullest, experiencing the exhilaration of the highest highs, and even the despair the lowest lows.
It also increases your compassion for others. You can’t walk in someone else’s shoes, but your path may have exposed you to similar situations, which enhances your empathy. Empathy produces better people. Shared experiences unite humans in a common cause against a mutual adversary. Maybe this virus is not the scourge it seems. By fighting a microscopic enemy we are developing closer relationships with family and friends, helping strangers, and finding innovative ways to manufacture needed supplies.
Will you embrace today’s challenges?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer