Golden: The good and bad

Who wouldn't want only good fortune in their lives? A life devoid of problems is the foundation of many dreams. However desirable, an adversity free existence is not possible. Everyone encounters both the good and the bad.

Life is very much like the weather. There is a lot of variation and it's not always what you want. Gorgeous, clear weather with perfect temperature is always ideal. But nothing could survive without rain. Regardless of where you live, there is no way to escape inclement weather.

With the proper clothing and shelter, you can survive, if not be comfortable, in any condition. Your appreciation of beautiful weather is always enhanced after a stormy period. You marvel in how good you feel once the sun starts shining again.

Just as the earth needs both sunshine and rain to support life, both the good and bad in your life serve a purpose. The bad times in life give you more of an appreciation for the good times. Besides, there is no way to avoid life's challenges. Additionally, it is by overcoming hardship that you learn, grow and become stronger.

There is no reason to be apprehensive of bad times. With knowledge and foresight you can minimize any impact. The key is to prepare during good times. When things are calm, you have the time and energy to strengthen the resources you will need to draw on during periods of challenge.

Here are some steps you can take during the good times to prepare for the bad ones. Since attitude and outlook are key to solving problems, your first priority should be to improve them. There are a variety of ways to do this.

Begin by discovering how others have overcome adversity. You can find biographies, articles, and news stories about the many ways people have weathered bad times. Read motivational books or listen to inspirational material on CDs. Various TV shows profile true stories of real people and how they overcame obstacles.

By filling your mind with examples of what other people have accomplished, you become focused on finding solutions, rather than being sidetracked by problems. This is mental conditioning. When the bad times hit, your mind will respond the way it was trained. Rather than being overwhelmed by adversity, your will immediately seek out ways to overcome obstacles.

Next, when times are good, develop your problem-solving skills by practicing on minor issues that are part of daily routines. Welcome each problem and the opportunity to practice. This attitude enables you to find solutions far more readily than if you get frustrated and angry at every annoyance.

When times are good, there isn't a lot of incentive to prepare. There is the analogy of the man who's roof always leaked when it rained. When asked why he never fixed it he replied, "When it's raining, the roof is too slippery to go up and fix it. When the weather is nice, my roof isn't leaking, so there is no need for repairs."

Don't be like this hapless fellow. Act when times are good so that you are ready for when the bad times hit. Bad times will pass. You will make it through. Those who are prepared emerge in better shape, and faster, than those who aren't.

Enjoy and appreciate the good times in your life. Don't stress over the bad times. You can't avoid them so you may as well make lemons out of lemonade. Within you lies all you need to overcome any obstacle.