Rising to the Occasion

Uncertainty causes anxiety. Often times the worst aspect of an upcoming challenge or new experience is facing all of the unknowns. If you're anything like me, you might feel some doubt from time to time about whether you can handle something that is coming your way. Now matter how many times I demonstrate my competence to myself, I'm still nervous when the time comes to try something new and different!

And yet, with each new experience, I find that once it has begun, I find my way through it... step by step.

Sometimes when we are sitting at the bottom of a mountain, it can seem overwhelming and at times might even feel impossible. Then we take the first step. Then we take another. And another. And yet another. Soon we have gained altitude and things look different. At some point we start to believe we will make it to the top. What a moment that is!

Dealing with the anxiety of change and uncertainty requires courage and willingness to flail around a bit. Most of us have no idea what we are capable of until we are faced with a situation where we have to step out and do something we weren't sure we could actually do. It is a moment of trepidation for most of it, but more times than not we are able to do what needs to be done. We astound and amaze ourselves from time to time.

I remember reading a book once about a woman who was chronically depressed and unable to function very well. Then, one of the worst things that can happen in life occurred in her life. Her house burned down. Suddenly she was thrust into a situation where she HAD TO function. It snapped her out of her depression and put her on the road to recovery!

Sometimes what we consider negative or horrible experiences in our lives can be the circumstances that cause us to rise to the occasion and go beyond the limitations we perceive ourselves to have.

Let's start giving ourselves credit for our ability to go above and beyond what we often think are our limitations. Necessity is the mother of invention. Often was are propelled forward by the demands placed on us by life itself!