Don't Waste the Struggle

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day on this glorious Friday afternoon!

 

This afternoon, I want to encourage us all not to waste the struggle. We all face struggles, challenges that we create and those that are thrust upon us, as we are on this beautiful journey called life. Within them are seeds of wisdom, courage, and strength. The thing is, we cannot gain these tools if we do not go through and embrace the struggle. It would truly be no different than putting a seed in the ground one day and taking it out the next – nobody would ever expect that seed to grow and become all that it was created to become. The same is true of you and me, Friend.

 

Over the years, working with college-aged individuals, I have seen families make great sacrifices to support their students in attending school. I have also seen students leave their families to pursue a degree and a better life. Most recently, I have had two sons go to pursue their callings. I recently wrote something to one of my sons who was dealing with homesickness, something like, “It is a struggle and a sacrifice for all of us – don’t waste the struggle.” My point to him, and for all of us on this Friday, is to make the sacrifice worth it by becoming all that you were created to become. There are challenges to overcome, lessons to be learned, and wisdom, courage, and strength to be gained! Lean into every day, every moment, and drain the potential out of each one. While it is sad to see people be alive for a lifetime without actually living, it is equally unfortunate to see people half-heartedly attempt to do something and waste the struggle.

 

I have seen my share of struggles in life, and I completely understand that when we're in one, we just want it to be over. As I reflect back on the ones that I attacked as I encouraged my son to do, I see where I learned, grew, and became stronger. And yes, there are those struggles that I look back on where I took the easy way out or gave less than my best…those are the ones I look back on with regret. While the pain of struggle is unquestionably real, so is the pain of regret. Let’s commit to lives without regret. Let’s choose to be fully alive every day. Whether we choose a path that requires us to struggle or a challenge is thrust upon us, let’s lean in and gain everything we can from it.

 

I want to close by sharing two quotes from Kevin DeShazo that I read this week.

 

“You can pursue your comfort or your potential. It’s up to you.”

 

“Struggle isn’t bad. Failure isn’t bad. Being uncomfortable isn’t bad. Feeling disappointed isn’t bad. These are the moments that refine you. The journey isn’t supposed to be easy or feel good every day. Stop running from the hard moments. Embrace them.”

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

 

Kev