Rise Above
Raise up to your ability.
- Foster the People, Houdini
Earlier today, one of my favorite topics came up in class: how to approach a challenge or a problem. I love this because it gave me the opportunity to understand how my peers operate under pressure. We also discussed why the two are not the same. Ultimately, their differences are subtle, yet extremely important. The word "problem" has a negative connotation; it's something that simply gets handled. A challenge, however, is overcome. Whether or not a situation becomes a problem or a challenge is up to the individual facing it.
Next Time
This time, baby
I'll be bulletproof.
- La Roux, Bulletproof
Everyone experiences problems; that's a fact of life. Luckily, we're often given the chance to correct our mistakes, and fix our problems. It's in this moment that a problem becomes a challenge.
For me, the problem began in April of 2013. I was a junior, competing in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking in the State Speech and Debate Tournament for the second year. The year before, I had managed to qualify for finals, with little coaching or preparation beforehand. Unfortunately, that was painfully clear in the finals round, and it resulted in my placing sixth. Junior year, I was ready to change that. I qualified for finals again, this time with better preliminary rankings. I even received a great topic: politicians involved in scandals.
In finals, I gave what was at that point the best speech of my life. I discussed Romney's unfortunate remarks on women, Clinton's extramarital affair, and Reagan's Watergate. Just in case you didn't catch that, REAGAN'S WATERGATE. Needless to say, the judges caught it. I had made a deadly slip, confusing Nixon and Reagan at a crucial moment. Despite all of that, I placed fourth, but I was not pleased.
It was out of this problem that one of my most significant challenges was born: the desire to win. Senior year, it became my goal to redeem myself and finally bring home a Domestic Extemp victory. And let me say, it was nothing if not challenging. I worked harder than ever before. Countless tears came as the result of subpar practice speeches. But in the end, it all paid off. In 2014, I faced the state tournament more prepared than ever before. I made finals and spoke with passion, feeling like I left a piece of my soul on the stage behind me (like I've said before, speech was a major part of my life). After that speech, I knew that if I didn't win, it wasn't meant to be.
But as it turns out, every challenge can be overcome.
Hold on Just a Little Bit Longer
When the waves are taking you under,
hold on just a little bit longer,
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger.
- Mandisa, Stronger
I'll be honest, I've always struggled with trying to solve problems and challenges for myself, instead of immediately looking to the Lord. But, I'm trying to do better about that. We're told in the Scripture that God tests us so we can learn to rely on Him. I know this, but my pesky human nature tells me I can handle it alone. Usually, I try to overcome my challenges through perseverance and determination, and when that fails, I pray to put my challenges in the Lord's hands, trusting His will. The reality is that I have this process backwards. The Lord has blessed me with strengths like belief and achiever, which help in overcoming challenges, but He never intended that I use those gifts to replace Him. I need to allow God an active role in overcoming my challenges. I think I'll find I like the skies more that way.
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