It’s been a rough couple of weeks in our household. Last Monday, Ethan – our twenty-month old son – came down with a nasty flu that kept him home from daycare for over a week. My wife (Kelly) and I were doing our best to stay afloat – tag-teaming Ethan’s care, cooking, cleaning, and squeezing in whatever work we could get done in between. Then, Kelly succumbed to the seven day bug and I was the only person left standing. Three days later, I fell ill, too, as our family limped along in survival mode for almost two full weeks.
Every parent has experienced his or her own version of this challenging scenario and I know that many reading this story had even more difficult weeks in your own ways – not to mention the unimaginable pain and suffering that people experience everyday throughout our world. Difficult situations are a part of life – they happen to us all – and we generally try our best to prevent and avoid them as much as is possible. But is there any value in life’s difficulties? Is there anything for us to get out of them, and – if so – what and how?
In this month’s podcast – my first! – I discuss the transformative power of challenging experiences for expanding our capacity, consciousness, and self awareness. You can listen to the 24-minute audio recording by pressing play below:
Alternatively, you can download the audio file and listen to it at your convenience by clicking here.
I hope that the podcast helps you navigate the difficult situations in your life more effectively and consciously. I’d love to hear your insights about what you’ve learned from your life’s challenges, so please submit a comment below if you’re willing to share or would like to leave feedback about the podcast.
Hi Sally,
Thanks for sharing your insights. Life is a series of experiences – both pleasant and challenging – and we have something to learn from all of them. The key is establishing that mindset, which can be a challenge in and of itself, especially when the going gets tough. Glad you enjoyed the podcast and I hope that you’ll tune in again next month.
All my best,
Aaron
Hi Sean,
You clearly chose the perfect time to listen to the podcast :). Strength training is also a great analogy for the value of life’s challenges because we generally bring a positive attitude and mindset to working out in contrast to the knee-jerk, negative reactions that we often have to challenges that we don’t consciously choose. If you can remember your perspective and intention for working out and apply that to the rest of the challenges that come your way, you’ll build an effective foundation for overcoming anything. Thanks for sharing your experience and keep listening!
All my best,
Aaron
Hi Barbara,
So glad that you enjoyed the podcast and that it inspired you to better meet your challenges. Thanks also for your feedback regarding the podcast format. The goal of this change was to make the information more accessible and it sounds like we’ve accomplished that goal. Great!
All my best,
Aaron
Hi Bill,
Thanks for listening to the podcast. I’m glad that you enjoyed it and that it resonated with your own perspective and experience.
Hi Judi,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. We all need support getting through life’s challenges and reminders of their value, so I’m glad the podcast was able to provide both for you. With all your experience caring for sick kids, we’re definitely going to fly you in from SF next time. Be well and thanks for listening!
All my best,
Aaron
Thanks Aaron. Very uplifting. So nice to listen to your perspective and your soothing voice even being far from NY. Cant wait for next podcast.
Enjoyed the podcast very much, We all go through trying times and rather than get bogged down by them, we must learn from the experience.
thanks
I love’d this, very concise and well put. An excellent lesson for anyone and it just so happened I was listing to it while doing some strength training:)
Keep them coming Aaron
~Sean
Loved the podcast on the value of challenging experiences. I feel uplifted and ready to meet the challenges ahead. I also like the podcast format because I can listen whenever it is convenient and am not limited to one particular date/time.
Great podcast. I agree entirely with everything you said.
Hi Aaron,
Loved this podcast. Your voice has always soothed me anyway, and your advice always makes me feel better. I feel like I rise to my challenges, but sometimes need a pep talk so yours was “right on” today. I miss both of you. Harry and I just got back from a 3 week vacation Tuesday night, so didn’t know Kelly was in SF until too late. She could have stayed with us or at least we could have touched base. She’s doing so well with her book and research……so proud of both of you. And I know how it goes when babies get sick. Have been through lots of them with Amy and Jon. If I lived back in NY, I would have helped you through it like I help Amy. Your work is terrific. Do you miss doing the acupuncture? You are so good at it. I still go for my knee and she puts needles in for anything that’s bothering me that day too. Take care and all of you stay healthy. Thanks for today’s podcast.
Love,
Judi