However, idea here is that, I have been thinking about various challenges presented to myself, and others, over years and comparing these challenges to state of individual at end of challenge. It is most interesting to note that, like Basic Training, you are either strengthen and ready for your mission, or you're washed out or pushed back to beginning to re-experience your training.

--- Challenges ---

I have been hit with many challenges throughout my life; however, one thing I can say, now that I made it out other end, is that I am much better for it. Of course, life continues to throw odd little challenges every day; however, I have come to realize that it is my responsibility for creating circumstances for challenges and my choice as to whether I want to deal with them.

Any time that you remain quiet and still, challenges will rarely appear. This, because, you're not moving and your space in life is stagnant. However, true challenges only occur once you decide to move forward. When you move, you create an imbalance that must be rebalanced, thus creating friction. Once you gain some momentum, friction becomes inconsequential and balance returns to accommodate your new state of forward movement.

--- Education ---

As Dead As Dead Can Be!

Many people allow themselves to be de-railed by their opportunities. They look at their short comings and limitations and say, "I'm too young", "I'm too old", "I'm too uneducated", "I don't have enough money", I'm too much of this", and "I'm too little of that". Blah, Blah.

Let me give you a perfect example of what I'm talking about. You remember story of Abraham in Bible? He was told he would become father of many nations. But, when he was told that, he was already seventy five years old.

Now, looking at this in natural way of thinking, you tell me how a seventy five year old man could be father of anything, especially a nation. And naturally thinking; how was that grandma, he was married to, going to give birth to a nation?

He Never Was The Sharpest Tool In The Shed!

And, Bible says she was barren. Well, here is this old man and he thinks he's father of many nations. He even went around telling everyone he met, "I'm father of many nations". You can imagine how people must have looked at him.

They probably thought all of that old man's wealth has made him crazy. Well, Abraham's got a problem or opportunity if you will. He knows what his limitations are. He knows his body is beyond time of fathering a child, and he knows his wife is barren.

But, Abraham didn't think of condition of his body or his wife's barren condition. In other words, he avoided tendency to make "excuses" for his limitations. Now get this: Abraham did have a child and, by his barren wife.

That Takes The Cake!

But, he was one hundred years old before child was born. And, this is part I'm amazed with; He waited twenty five years and kept believing that he was father of many nations. I sometimes think I've gone limit when I've waited twenty five minutes. But, point is; he didn't make excuses for his limitations.

He couldn't afford to. Abraham was no different than we are. If he had considered his wife and his own body, there is no way that old man could have kept saying "I'm father of many nations" for twenty five years! He would have been just like some of us and quit after three days.

Abraham could have said, "I'm too old", "my wife is too old", . You see, his wife was ninety years old when child was born! Don't you know she was surprised? When she went into labor she probably thought she had appendicitis. Nah, I'm kidding.

Now I know that this is an extreme example, but, still same, excuses are part of our natural tendencies no matter how extreme they are.

The Conventional Wisdom!