> "It's Too Hard"

Sunday, September 17, 2006

"It's Too Hard"

A few evenings ago my son came to me very upset and said, "It's too hard!" My first thought was that something really major had happened so my main object was to support him and help to resolve whatever the issue.

Come to find out he had put some projects off until the last minute (despite a few recommendations to break them down into bite-size pieces) and was feeling overwhelmed. Bless his sweet heart...I had been there a few times myself as a student so I understood the overwhelm. HOWEVER, not doing his homework was NOT an option.

At first I tried to encourage him but the more I tried the more upset he got. (Batten down the hatches, meltdown in 10 seconds and counting.) Once again came the, "It's too hard!"

Rather than tell him that everything would be OK and that he could do it, I took a different tactic. I looked him in the eyes and said, "You know what, you're right...it's too hard and I do not want you to do it." He looked at me as if I had grown a horn out the middle of my forehead. The rest of the conversation went somewhat as follows...

A: What?
Me: Nope, I do not want you to do anything that is too hard.
A: What do you mean?
Me: Anytime you come up against something too hard, I do not want you to do it.
A:If I don't do things because they are too hard then I will probably wind up homeless.
Me: Possibly, but just think, you will never have to do another hard thing in your life.

The end result, my adorable son went straight to his homework and finished it successfully.

My purpose in sharing this story is to hopefully serve as a reminder to all of us. Yes, there are things in life that are hard, challenges will come that will suck big time, but here's the question...would you rather try or give up? You have everything to gain from trying and lots to lose by not trying. Think about it.

I encourage you (without fear of meltdowns) to stretch and reach outside your box, embrace the challenges with an open heart, and have faith that from every challenge comes something good!

Until next time, please be well!

Pam