So what do you do when you are presented challenges in your life? How do you approach them when you are in that exact moment of realizing that you have been presented with a challenge? Where does your mind go first? acceptance, denial, fear? and what about your body? what are the physical things you feel as your mind absorbs what is going on?
Some of us meet the situation head on without thinking - we just go into attack mode or action mode. Some of us step back to assess the situation thoroughly in order to make calculated decisions about what to do. And some of us remain in denial, even in the most dire of challenges because it's all too much for us to handle. Some of us reach for substances to help us - drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, sex, shopping, or whatever. How do you handle extreme situations? A health challenge for you or a family member, an accident, a loss of job, a death of a loved one or a pet or any other thing that might be a challenge.
Who and what do you depend on to get you through such times? Is it your Higher Power or G-d? Is it your spouse or partner? A best friend? A family member?
And what about a twist on this question? What do you do when a friend is faced with a difficult challenge? What do you do as a friend? Where do you set boundaries in helping another person? And what about situations where the friend doesn't realize how extreme their situation is and no matter what you say or suggest they stay stuck in their situation not willing to ask or take help offered. They remain in denial. What then? Do you just sit by and watch your friend self-destruct? It's a tough place to be.
