Change Isn't Easy

Many times as I have struggled to enact life change, I have run into situations that are difficult or even impossible. When I encountered these challenges, many well-meaning friends and family members encouraged me to explore the possibility that those difficulties were a sign. They believed that the problems that I encountered were there to direct me away from a course that was wrong. While I agree, that, at times, difficulties are a sign that we are on the wrong path, often they are just obstacles to achieving the future that we hope for. Nothing worth having comes without a price. Sometimes these difficulties are just the price we pay to see growth and change in our lives.

I think of some famous examples of people who have overcome obstacles that would have made a lesser man or woman quit: I am sure that Mother Theresa had more than a few doubts as she faced many challenging days during her work in India. I believe that Lance Armstrong probably wanted to quit more than once as he battled cancer and again as he fought to reach the pinnacle of cycling after he had beaten the cancer. I am sure that you can come up with many more examples of great men and women who fought through the doubt and pain to achieve the greatness that they knew was theirs.

If you are facing struggles in your journey and you are beginning to doubt, it is time for a gut-check. Ask yourself: Are these struggles a part of the process or a sign? Do you believe you are on the right path or the wrong one? Do you need to reassess your goals or recommit yourself to the task at hand?

You are probably not working to help the poor in India or battling cancer in order to resume a professional cycling career but, whatever change you are working to implement in your life is worthwhile. Whether it is losing ten pounds, starting a new career, or finding a deeper faith in God, it is a valuable pursuit and worth fighting for. Don't allow the difficulty to dissuade you from your path. Your life is worth the fight. Go out there and keep fighting; it will all be worth it in the end.