I’m in the middle of a grinding conversation with publishing collaborators: “If we do A, then B happens, so what if we do X instead?” Brows are furrowed. We’re workin’ this problem like a piece of gum. Silent pauses. We’re thinking…thinking. Arguing our points. It’s tense and kind of wonderful.
“Hey, by the way everyone,” I raise my hand for pause, “I just want you to know, I LOVE this sh-t. This is my idea of fun.” And on we plod.
I can respect the challenges because I know they’re part of my calling. I’m on my path, there will be problems, and complaining about the inevitable is a ridiculous waste of energy. I know that, and I mean this in the most pragmatically joyous sense, life is just one d-mn thing after another.
If you’re intentional about your choices you may as well approach obstacles as opportunities to get more creative, innovative, stronger, and closer to what you want and the people you want to be with.
(If you’re not intentional about your choices then…then that’s a “real” problem. Fix that first and then come back and read this. I’m cheering you on.)
Love your problems — really love them, and the solutions appear. @DanielleLaPorte (Click to Tweet!)
Do you love the kind of problems that you have in your relationship? Like, can you love the fact that your “work” as a couple is to deepen intimacy? That’s some hard work. But can you honour that that’s your work to do?
Can you love the problems inherent in your industry? The challenges that come with the goals you’ve set? The hoops you have to jump through to get what you want the most? If you can’t love the hassles, maybe you’re in the wrong place. Pick the battles that are for your cause, your higher good — it will bolster your strength instead of wearing you down.
If you can’t love the challenges that come with your territory, you should consider moving elsewhere. Move to where you find problems that are more loveable and satisfying — because there are plenty of them, and they need your willingness to be solved.
Danielle LaPorte is an invited member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100, a group who, in Oprah Winfrey’s words, “is uniquely connecting the world together with a spiritual energy that matters.” She is author of White Hot Truth: Clarity for keeping it real on your spiritual path—from one seeker to another. The Fire Starter Sessions, and The Desire Map: A Guide To Creating Goals With Soul—the book that has been translated into 8 languages, evolved into a yearly day planner system, a top 10 iTunes app, and an international workshop program with licensed facilitators in 15 countries.
Named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by Forbes, millions of visitors go to DanielleLaPorte.com every month for her daily #Truthbombs and what’s been called “the best place online for kickass spirituality.” A speaker, a poet, a painter, and a former business strategist and Washington-DC think tank exec, Entrepreneur Magazine calls Danielle, “equal parts poet and entrepreneurial badass…edgy, contrarian…loving and inspired.” Her charities of choice are Eve Ensler’s VDay: a global movement to end violence against women and girls, and charity: water, setting out to bring safe drinking water to everyone in the world. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her favourite philosopher, her son. You can find her @daniellelaporte and just about everywhere on social media.