But you were determined! You wanted to get this game ‘waxed’ so you put in a lot of time and effort. You taught yourself muscle memory to the degree that when you play that game today, you don’t even glance down to the controls anymore! Your attention is FULLY in the game and not distracted by a stupid button that the manufacturers put in the wrong place. You are on cruise control. And you are going from level to level! The levels are getting harder but YOU have gotten better! You are kicking some serious video game butt! (old people, i hope you’re still with me on this).
Anyway, the same lesson can apply to life. When you are faced with an almost impossible task, or a heavy burden, or some giant-sized issue in your life that just seems impossible to overcome. I want you to think of the video game parable (say that sentence with an old wise Chinese man’s voice for effect). It would be wise to apply that same tenacity into your life to beat whatever it is you are faced with.
Think to yourself, “How can I own this thing?” Then figure out the skills needed to overcome it. Then, just like the game, put a lot time and effort into the right kind of stuff that will help you overcome what you are facing. Very seldom in life will that giant-sized thing you are facing just vanish. You will need to look at it in the eyes, clinch your jaw, put your finger in its face and say, “I will own you!”
I think of the not-yet-king-David (in the Bible). He faced a giant-sized problem named Goliath. Goliath was such a hard-arse that he had all the ‘non-practiced-video-game-army’ shivering in the sandals. But when David entered onto the battlefield, he was ready to take on this dude. Why? Because he practised how to take issues head on in his life (read the story before the fight). He put in time to develop the right stuff within himself to face anything. He wasn’t bigger or better than the other worriers. In fact, he wasn’t even trained up like them. He was a shepherd. But this boy had some skills due to the right attitude he had which helped him develop his in-your-face approach. And what happened? Goliath bit the dust! David won! He was victorious and made King (a little later).
So, whatever you are facing. Are you putting in the time and effort to teach yourself the skills needed to overcome it? Or are you simply hoping by ignoring it, it will just go away? Fat chance. It’s more likely to get bigger. But if you are, you will overcome whatever you are facing and take yourself to the next level of your life. You’ll be stronger and fitter for it, and even more prepared to face anything else that comes along.
It’s up to you. Face it and own it. Or let it own you.
