Challenges: Something which drives you through the journey of life
“Wherever there are great challenges, there are also great opportunities” by Martin Luther King Jr
During the height of his cycling career, in 1996, Lance E Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After his recovery, he founded the Livestrong Foundation to assist the cancer survivors. Returning to cycling in 1998, he won his Tour de France titles and a bronze medal in 2000 Summer Olympics. Many titles followed.
Arunima Sinha was pushed from a running train by some robbers in 2011. Her left leg was amputated;her right leg was implanted with rods and her spinal chord suffered with multiple fractures. She was going to Delhi as a response to the call-letter she received from CRPF which would realize her childhood dream of joining a paramilitary force.
Today she is a renowned mountaineer. She is the first female amputee to scale Mount Everest. She has also conquered Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Elbrus (Russia), Mount Koscuisko (Australia), Mount Aconcagua (South America),Carstensz Pyramid (Indonesia) and Mount Vinson (Antartica). Her aim is to climb each of the continent’s highest peak and hoist the national flag of India.
The above said personalities rose like a phoenix from the ashes by taking the bull by the horns. They challenged the challenges and rose to new heights. But they are not, strictly speaking, an exception. We call these people survivors. They have something in common. They are not afraid to face their challenges. Inadvertently they changed their challenges into opportunities.
The easiest way to enjoy life is to confront as many challenges as possible. The challenges spice up your life and make it more interesting. How does it do that? A nice good challenge exercises your body and mind. It adds purpose to life. Helps us make use of our talents and hidden potentials in a better way. There is a tinge of surprise in all challenges which adds to its flavor.
There is nothing more bitter and sweet than giving birth. School is a dare for the student and trial for the parents. A sport is a contest. For most of us finding job is surmounting another obstacle. Opting one’s chosen career is an another example of courage. These are a few challenges most of us have to face. As we progress through life challenges become more acute.
But if the challenge is too much of an obstacle then it may deter a person to confront it. Don’t get disheartened. Here is a formula to confront an “impossible” challenge: study the problem, break it into parts and tackle the one which is the most possible among the impossible. Antonio Francesco Gramsci, an Italian philosopher, has also said something which is somewhat relevant to the situation. He remarked, “Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the mind.” His words urge us to move forward.
Challenge is also one of the defining features of sexuality. Opposite sex is both an enigma and strife. It is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced. It is the jest of life. It is a challenge. The human who hesitate in confronting this challenge end up as homosexual or lesbians. They try to find the easy way out but alas!, wrong roads lead to unassuming confrontations. It is often argued that since a few animals exhibit same sex partnerships, it proves that it is a natural process. But one forgets that these animals have far less intelligence than we humans. They are often not able to distinguish between male and female. One should also acknowledge the struggle that a few takes to attract the opposite sex. Male nightingales are known to practice singing during the summer season so that it can impress its opposite in winter.
Life without challenges has no meaning. Life without challenges is no fun.