Written by: Kc Rossi, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The year 2020 will be remembered as the year of consummate challenges. Yet right on its heels, 2021 brought along a series of tragedies and suffering plaguing our nation, from the ravaging fires in California to the Covid-19 Delta variant. As a result, not only do we see global chaos, but individuals are also experiencing personal disruption.
Like many of you, life experiences have tested me from the heartache of losing my beloved pet to financial loss, entrepreneurial repositioning, physical ailments, and a life-changing diagnosis that threw me on an emotional and physical rollercoaster.
“Suffering is imposed on us time and again so that one day we would become brave, wise masters. That is, a strong being who is confidently aware of their intended direction in life, and fearlessly adding value to the world and their future.” —Suzy Kassem
How can one begin to make sense of it all—let alone find solace? Yet, there is a way to harness life’s obstacles to fuel personal growth and stimulate holistic resilience. The mantra of the hero’s journey helped me. It is “obstacles make me stronger"—OMMS for short.
Think of a time when you overcame a difficult experience in your life. Now think about something positive that was a result once you overcame it. For example, perhaps you went through a heartbreaking divorce. But in the end, you discovered your internal strength and mental toughness. Or maybe you were fired, which led to turning within and discovering your true passion.
Challenges are opportunities to pause, get clear, and build character strength. Yet, when you’re in the messy middle, it may be harder to embrace that concept.
When you are going through hardship, here are 4 things that will help you get to the other side with grace:
1. Acceptance
There are many things we can control in our lives. For the things we can’t, acceptance is the best choice. If we fight the current situation, we increase our suffering. Moreover, the emotional strain from resisting weakens our physical response system.
When I received the diagnosis of Lyme disease I had to eventually accept it. No amount of denial, anger, or frustration would change the fact. Moreover, allowing unsupportive thoughts to circulate actually causes a downward spiral, which is counterproductive to our healing.
"Negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can create chronic stress, which upsets the body's hormone balance, depletes the brain chemicals required for happiness, and damages the immune system." Karen Lawson, MD
2. Perspective
It’s easy to feel as if the sky is falling when we are facing challenges. Zooming out and expanding our viewpoint adds space and clarity. How can you look at your current situation with new eyes? Where does it land in the big scheme of things?
After falling down an entire flight of stairs, I laid naked on the floor alone. It literally provided an instant new perspective. I heard the message from the Universe loud and clear to “slow down.” It gave me a chance to think about other people’s trials and tribulations much greater than a fall which helped manage the pain.
3. Gratitude
Being grateful for our life and the good things in it is always a valuable practice. Yet during times of physical disease, pain, and emotional upset cultivating gratitude is a powerful healing balm for the soul. Appreciating even the smallest blessings can provide comfort.
Despite exercising extreme caution, this March, I contracted Covid-19. After being bed-ridden for 3 weeks, I began to feel normal again. However, one of the persistent side-effects is impaired taste. At first, especially being a foodie, I was upset. Cultivating gratitude is helping me focus on the things that I can taste and smell. I am grateful it’s a shortlist of intolerable items. This allows me to enjoy the food that still tastes good even more!
4. Fortitude
Like they say, “the show must go on.” History has taught us that time has the power to change things. When we forge ahead in the best way, we know forward motion rewards us. Little by little, we begin to carve a new path—one of wellbeing and peace.
Courage is our greatest asset when it comes to overcoming adversity. One thing that I know for sure is through challenges, we have the ability to rise from the ashes stronger than before.
Whether you are observing global events that are rocking our nation or are personally being tested, know that you’ve got what it takes to endure. You can process situations in a way that is empowering. When you adopt the “OMMS” mindset, you will triumph over tragedies and inspire others to do the same.
Kc Rossi, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kc Rossi is a Mindset and Self-Leadership Coach who supports entrepreneurs scale a profitable and soul-aligned business.
She’s been a full-time entrepreneur since 1991 and has built six and 7+ figure businesses. Kc is a Certified Aromatherapist, Mind-Body Eating Coach, and NLP Practitioner. This allows her to bring an integrated and intuitive approach to her coaching.
Kc is the Founder of The Soulprint Method™, a system that combines energy, mindset, and spirituality. This holistic approach provides extreme clarity, dissolves limiting beliefs, improves performance, and opens the way to experience and share your full potential.
She is the host of Women Developing Brilliance® — The Spirit of Business, a show dedicated to cultivating confidence, increasing visibility, elevating vibration, and leading with purpose without burning out.
When she’s offline, you can find her whipping up plant-based eats or hiking the Finger Lakes Trail in Upstate, New York.
Kc is an Executive Contributor of Brainz Magazine. Her work has been highlighted in ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Thrive Global, SmallBizDaily, International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapists, Female Entrepreneurial Association, and The Smart Girl Tribe.
