Challenge & Growth
Well I’ve been playing for the last week at QPAC for the Harvest Rain’s Blood Brothers show.
As with the last show that I played in (Oklahoma) this one has come with its own set of challenges.
As we are faced with challenges in life - both those seen in a positive and negative light, it is worth considering the manner in which we should respond. In my case, this show and experience has been very positive.
Let me elaborate: I have tended to shy away from opportunities that I perceive are beyond my ability or comfort zone. Ultimately, it is these circumstances that afford us an opportunity to grow beyond where we are currently at.
It is easy to take this view when we are in the middle of positive challenge - but is somewhat more difficult when in the middle of negative circumstances. So what is the correct response? Is the view of growth and perspective of opportunity the same? I believe so.
Ultimately, this is something that we will all face. It is not a question of if, but of when, how and what it will be. For our family at this time we have the challenge of one of our daughter’s having a condition called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) which is causing a number of her joints to swell, restricting movement, causing pain and potentially damaging her growing body.
What is the way that we should respond to this condition?
How, as parents do we react and respond? It is beyond our capacity to do anything to effect change in our daughter’s life - in a physical way. However, we have a great opportunity to nurture her spiritual and emotional development - what we should be doing with all of our children - but in a sense, I have become increasingly aware of the significance of our role as parents in this way. If she is faced with the prospect of no cure how would we have her respond? What can we do to grow her as a person - free from mental health issues like depression and anxiety, with a robust sense of identity and purpose having a positive outlook - being (and becoming) an effective member of her community.
Also interesting, is how we will grow as a family through this experience. Certainly, we will be different people through it… blessing - I think so, but time will tell.
