Burden Bearing

Who cares?

This may be the question that you are asking as you are in the middle of a struggle.  This may be the question asked by the person you casually passed by.  Do we care enough to help others?  We are designed for relationships and can benefit as well as be beneficial to others when we are open to helping others.  It’s not uncommon for us to quickly step up and help someone with a bulky item, it is a good feeling to help bear the burden.  Maybe we are quick to do this because we instinctively know what needs to be done. 

How do we expand our ability to share burdens that aren’t intuitive to us?  We need to have a solid understanding that we don’t know everything.  Maybe the best way we can help someone who is hurting is to simply listen, to be a shoulder to cry on, to simply be present.  Caring enough to care is a solid first move for those willing to help others with their burdens.  An investment of time, energy and emotional strength is needed to help others, so it is imperative that a person is prepared in order to be effective at sharing the load of others.  Much like the instructions on an airline flight regarding the oxygen masks that may drop down in case of pressure loss in the cabin, secure your mask first, then help others.  You cannot give what you do not have, so be certain that you enrich your life with positive emotional and spiritual substance to have your tank full.

In the days ahead, prepare yourself to help others, look for opportunities and step up when the opportunities arise.  You were designed to make a difference, don’t miss your chance to lighten the load that those around you might be carrying today.

Be Resilient

Man never made any material as
resilient as the human spirit.

Bern Williams
American programmer and consultant

Each of us has faced challenges or hardships that require an extra effort to overcome.  To make realistic plans for the future, we must understand that we must be able to get back up when we’ve been knocked down.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines resilience as:

* Marked by the ability to recover readily, as from misfortune.
* Capable of returning to an original shape or position, as after having been compressed

Both definitions fit what we go through during tough times.  Whether it was a major health issue, financial ruin, broken relationship or any other misfortune, we all must decide to grow from it or be defeated by it.  Take a minute to think of people that you know who have given up and accepted defeat as their way of life.  So many people give up after being knocked down and only reach a small part of their potential.  How many great discoveries have been delayed or never found because someone gave up?

Understand that you are filled with great potential that can only be unlocked by you. When the world hurls rocks at you, take each one and organize them to build a stronger foundation to reach your highest goals.  The world has a tendency to twist us out of shape, but if we will decide to look positively at situations, we will see where we can use difficulties and hardships as great growth opportunities to become a stronger person.  Be resilient, as you are only defeated when you choose not to bounce back and keep trying.  When the pressures of life press in, stand strong and find the best way to overcome the situation and get stronger by the experience.  For you to reach your greatest success, you must be resilient.