Embrace the Challenge

by Leslie Aronson — May 15, 2008

Risks are difficult to take and collectively, according to Frances Lefkowitz in May's Body + Soul, we're shying away from risk more and more. When you consider the fact that our ancestors are the ones who took risks and survived, it should seem pretty obvious that risks and challenges are necessary parts of our lives and are in fact necessary for our survival as a species. If we don't accept new challenges or take risks - calculated or otherwise - we grow stagnant, not only as a culture but in our individual personal lives as well. Challenges are what make life interesting - and you're going to encounter them whether you look for them or not. Consider the things you shy away from: the challenges or risks you intentionally steer clear of, whether from fear, laziness, or what have you. Are you currently challenged by your fitness routine? Is there a way you can mix things up so that you're more regularly challenged, and thus improving? Is there an activity you've always wanted to try but have stayed away from for some reason? What's holding you back? How would you feel or what would your life look like if you accepted a new challenge to yourself? You'll be impressed at how much you can accomplish when you believe that you can do something and stop simply accepting that you can't.