How can we help others confront obstacles?

We all have different challenges and trials and we deal with those challenges the best we can.  My ways may not work for you, but I hope they inspire and motivate us to search for our own ways to achieve happiness, positivity and growth for ourselves and others.

This disability has allowed me the privilege to meet the most interesting people and to hear of either their challenges and trials or those of others they know and how they have conquered and overcome those challenges. What is so compelling are the efforts by these people to improve their lives through exercise, practicing empathy, activity, serving others and adventure, while in age groups including their seventies, eighties, and nineties.

Many of you may know people who are in battles for their lives, but you may or may not have true knowledge or awareness, empathy, or accurate understanding of their challenges. Invariably, when I was in the depths of despair, those were the times that others who knew me very well, stepped forward with words of encouragement and challenging me to fight.

They knew exactly what to say. This taught me the importance of what I will refer to as our “We” and “Us” collective group and how I needed to change as a positive contributor to my group. The saving influence given to me during this cataclysm, was possible only because of the people in my “We” and “Us” collective group. My focus became centered on others and listening to them to learn of their needs so I could positively reinforce them and bolster them in their journeys to overcome obstacles. This approach resulted in assisting myself with confronting my own obstacles.

Our many challenges and trials can often overpower us, and we become consumed with very undesirable emotions. In Second Timothy 3:1-6, Paul describes to Timothy the characters of the people who would be on the earth before the second coming of the Savior; he said, they will be:

1.      Lovers of their own selves,

2.      Covetous,

3.      Proud,

4.      Blasphemers,

5.      Unthankful,

6.      Disobedient,

7.      Without natural affection,

8.      Trucebreakers,

9.      False accusers,

10.  Despisers of those that do good,

11.  And, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

What do these characteristics say about a person? Are they focused on the “We” and “Us” or “I” and “Me”? These characteristics are the exact opposite of someone who is meek and lowly of heart, as the Savior so majestically taught us to be. As we analyze the previously enumerated attributes of character, we will discover they are fully aligned with this exclusive lifestyle of “I” and “Me” references and are attributes we should avoid. In other words, just prior to the Second Coming, the general population will be primarily focused on, who, themselves.  I ask myself, does this include me? Am I self-centered, like the people of whom Paul was speaking? Is my character centered in the “I” and “Me” construct, with disingenuous and robotic characteristics? The study of the Savior’s character and how he cares for, understands, and comforts each of us in our trials, reveals how we should pattern our own character development.

In conclusion, change requires significant effort and commitment. The attitude required is to believe in possibilities and not be focused on our limitations. To avoid slipping into those undesirable emotional states, we all need to change by implementing tactics that work for us to put our attitudes in check when those triggers confront us. We will inevitably make mistakes and feel like giving up. Above all and most important, we have much greater success when we include others. This life on earth is truly a team-oriented activity. I believe it is imperative that we strive to complete this life not only leaving it a better person, but to also assist in improving the lives of others through authentic empathy, compassion, care, and strengthening our relationships.  This is where abundant joy, success, and happiness truly reside.  May we all feel empowered and take the calls to action to make appropriate changes in our lives for purposes of positivity and be determined to make life for ourselves and others a great adventure.