81. Challenges...

Have you ever seen a little toddler trying to stand up on his own? Trying really hard to take his first step towards his cheering happy parents? He is facing his first ever biggest challenge in his life. All of us have passed that moment sometime ago.

Since then, we are facing challenges. Some simple, some harder – coming on our way one after the other. Have we been brave enough in front of them, just as we faced our first challenge as a toddler? Some might say yes, and some might say no. 

Think of all the exams and competitions we have faced since our childhood, and finishing our tasks at office before the target date, bearing others' conflicting ideas with patience – all of them are nothing else but challenges. And balancing our home life and office life, knowing and fulfilling our duties and responsibilities to our family, society and nation – they too are challenges.

The biggest challenge I came across most recently is this speech. I was looking for a topic for my second speech for about three weeks and browsed and browsed through the internet looking for some idea that I can talk with a passion. But I couldn't find one until yesterday. I even thought of postponing my chance, but I felt ashamed to do so. Then suddenly, it came to my mind. I knew I could speak of what I was doing right at the moment. I was preparing to face my challenge.  

Why do we have to face the challenges? Can't we escape? Sometimes, may be we can, if we really want to escape. But that would lose us something in our life. Once, Martin Luther King, Jr said that “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” That means, that you would see a person's true colors when they are going through hard times.  They prove who they really are not when things are going well, but when times are difficult in their lives. Until you let the challenges to come your way, neither you nor others will know who really you are.

Every successful person has gone through a challenge one way or another, which has enabled them to become who they are today. Think of great leaders, inventors, or your own loved ones who have been able to inspire you as great personalities. They all have won something in life because they were able to face the challenges with courage.

The life is not just a bed of flowers, that's true. And neither is a mere thicket. This journey of life – wearing a smile at a time and a tear at another – would become a more wonderful and adventurous journey by all the challenges coming on our way; just like a river flowing towards its destination, clashing against rocks, falling from high, and making the world beautiful.

Don't be afraid of challenges. Be brave, and face them. Be a challenge to your challenges. They will bring out the best in you.



P. S. - My second speech at Toastmasters program. Couldn't find a time to translate it.