Challenge & opportunity are two sides of the same coin
Aug 02, 2016‘That was adequate!’ Master Ian said as we walked out of my office onto the drive after an exhausting 70 minutes of boxing. I was absolutely dripping with sweat and completely exhausted.
We stood on the drive chatting as he put his equipment back in his car. Then the front door to the house opened and out walked our two boys, followed by Eliza and then Amelie. Susan was taking all four kids to our Nanny’s for the day.
One by one they got in the car and then Eliza marched around stamping her foot in a tantrum. ‘NO I’M NOT GETTING IN THE CAR!’ she said most emphatically, to no one in particular.
‘Why doesn’t she like the car?’ Ian asked
‘Oh, she’s not that great with transitions sometimes, if she’s doing something she likes, she doesn’t want to stop doing it, even if the other thing is something she likes too.’
While we were talking, Amelie walked up to Eliza, held her hand and said softly ‘Shall we go around the other side of the car Eliza, then you can sit next to me?' Eliza took her hand and skipped around to the other door.
‘Did you see that?’ Ian said, ‘That was amazing.’
‘What?’ I said
‘The way Amelie calmed her down and got her in the car, she is going to be a fantastic Mum!'
‘I know, and she’s only 10!’ I said. I felt very proud of little Ams!
I thought to myself after Ian was gone, how does a 10-year-old learn that kind of compassion and kindness? And how does she develop the skills to cope with her brain injured younger sister, who frankly, can be extremely challenging at times? I know I certainly didn’t have Amelie’s love and patience when I was 10, and I’m pretty sure Susan didn’t either!
And the more I thought about that, the more I thought: how does anyone develop and grow in any area?
Eliza really has had such a positive influence and impact on EVERY member of our family.
But my realisation yesterday morning was much more universal than just our immediate family, and in just this area.
How do we develop forgiveness without someone to forgive?
How do we learn to love our own company without being alone?
How do we learn to control our anger without situations that drive us crazy?
Sometimes, when we stop and think about it, the things that are most inconvenient and frustrating and challenging to us, also reveal an opportunity. In fact, the two seem inextricably linked. Challenge and opportunity are two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other.
If we really do want to grow, which most of us would say that we do, then we need to not only put up with the challenge and obstacles of our everyday life experiences, but we should be grateful for them. And for that matter, we should actively seek out more experiences like them!
We stood on the drive chatting as he put his equipment back in his car. Then the front door to the house opened and out walked our two boys, followed by Eliza and then Amelie. Susan was taking all four kids to our Nanny’s for the day.
One by one they got in the car and then Eliza marched around stamping her foot in a tantrum. ‘NO I’M NOT GETTING IN THE CAR!’ she said most emphatically, to no one in particular.
‘Why doesn’t she like the car?’ Ian asked
‘Oh, she’s not that great with transitions sometimes, if she’s doing something she likes, she doesn’t want to stop doing it, even if the other thing is something she likes too.’
While we were talking, Amelie walked up to Eliza, held her hand and said softly ‘Shall we go around the other side of the car Eliza, then you can sit next to me?' Eliza took her hand and skipped around to the other door.
‘Did you see that?’ Ian said, ‘That was amazing.’
‘What?’ I said
‘The way Amelie calmed her down and got her in the car, she is going to be a fantastic Mum!'
‘I know, and she’s only 10!’ I said. I felt very proud of little Ams!
I thought to myself after Ian was gone, how does a 10-year-old learn that kind of compassion and kindness? And how does she develop the skills to cope with her brain injured younger sister, who frankly, can be extremely challenging at times? I know I certainly didn’t have Amelie’s love and patience when I was 10, and I’m pretty sure Susan didn’t either!
And the more I thought about that, the more I thought: how does anyone develop and grow in any area?
Eliza really has had such a positive influence and impact on EVERY member of our family.
But my realisation yesterday morning was much more universal than just our immediate family, and in just this area.
How do we develop forgiveness without someone to forgive?
How do we learn to love our own company without being alone?
How do we learn to control our anger without situations that drive us crazy?
Sometimes, when we stop and think about it, the things that are most inconvenient and frustrating and challenging to us, also reveal an opportunity. In fact, the two seem inextricably linked. Challenge and opportunity are two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other.
If we really do want to grow, which most of us would say that we do, then we need to not only put up with the challenge and obstacles of our everyday life experiences, but we should be grateful for them. And for that matter, we should actively seek out more experiences like them!
Until next time ..
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