Life's New Challenges

Life is always throwing up a series of challenges.

As a result of the work I've done this year, I am more independent and feel stronger than I have ever done previously. I feel I have changed significantly, and the person who is closest to me in this world can see it too. As a result of my changes, this has changed dynamics in our relationship. I no longer have to rely on Kim to support me emotionally as much as I did previously. I will always need her support and help, but to different degrees and hopefully a whole less often. This is a great thing for me, but this can also be a great challenge as well.

It has been imperative that I understand that my change and growth will also affect Kim (and those around me) as well. Most things in life are fluid and evolving, so must be our relationship. Because of the love and respect we have for each other, it has been a blessing that we are open and honest when things have a challenged us in the past.

So now the dynamics have changed, sometimes hearing the truth can hurt your pride or ego. By letting that go and listening to the person that you love, can help you understand them, your relationships, but also help you understand yourself even better. Only then can you grow and develop an even better relationship.

When I started down this path of growth and self awareness nearly 12 months ago, I had no idea where it was going to take me. I didn’t know it was going to challenge me as much as it did. I didn’t know I was going to get worse before my life got better. But once you open the lock and walk through that door, you cannot un-open it.

And what I found since opening that door, I just want to keep challenging myself. I want to keep growing. I want to keep learning. But more importantly, I want make a huge difference and impact in this world.

It is addictive. The learning. The self-awareness. The next goal. then next challenge. All of it. It is all very addictive.

As a result my mind is going 100 km/h. So I have to ensure that I continue to communicate with those around me (especially those closest to me). If I don't I will leave them behind which will only end in disaster. Because of the excitement and desire of further fulfillment, I know it is really important to involve those around me.

Since going through my processes to allow me to deal with my child abuse and depression issues, my overall daily challenges have also changed. Instead of just trying to to survive from day-to-day, other little daily issues arrive that I’m not used to dealing with. This is all new to me. And though my new self-awareness is great, as a result, these new self-awareness issues have been a new challenge for me.

I look at it as if I have been playing football all my life. I developed all the skills to play the game and it allowed me to get through every day as best I could. All of a sudden I’ve been asked to play ice hockey. A totally different game, different skills, different rules, and yet I still have to get through same day with different challenges as best as I can.

That’s what the last six months or more has been like for me. It’s been a new game with new challenges. I’m just so grateful that the person I am playing my life game with is helping me with the rules and the new skills I need to develop.

The most important skills needed in our game of life is communication, love, compassion, empathy, understanding, respect, trust and probably most importantly, listen.

To the blokes out there, it is alright to feel lost, challenged, misunderstood and vulnerable. OPEN UP and talk. Get rid of your pride and ego. Be prepared to take the first step. And listen.

Don't forget to take a step back and look at it from the other person’s perspective. It will help you see yourself in a different light and also help you grow. This will help you understand the other person more and it will assist you to develop an even greater depth in your relationship.

And the world needs a whole lot more of that.