Midlife Challenges

This past week I was in Phoenix for the annual National Speakers Association convention. To say it is a high-energy event is probably an understatement!  3½ days of incredible speakers, stories, education and networking. Not to mention the 112 degree heat, which I have to say, is something I love.

One of the most memorable speeches was given by Nando Perrado. You probably don’t recognize his name but you may recall the story of a plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team that crashed in the Andes some 35 years ago. The movie Alive, starring Ethan Hawke, was based on this incredible story of a group of young men forced to use desperate measures to survive in the snow-swept Andes mountains. It was Nando’s unwavering courage and sustaining love for his family that kept him alive against all odds.  His speech was one of the most inspirational I have ever heard and brought the house down.  Many were reduced to tears!

Nando’s compelling story of the brutal challenges he faced puts our miniscule problems into perspective. I doubt there was one person in that audience of 1,000 or so who didn’t come away from that session feeling that if someone could overcome an elephant of a problem, then surely we could deal with an ant. We were all challenged and encouraged to take a broader view of our trials and tribulations.

Mountains of Challenges

What challenges are you currently facing? Are you so embroiled in an issue that it seems insurmountable?  Perhaps it might be time to read Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home and gain a different perspective on how well you are coping with your problems.  You may be inspired to make that change that seemed like too much of an obstacle!