My parents and I didn't see eye to eye. They were never aligned with my viewpoint.  During some of my visits with them, I found myself engaged in a battle of wills. We all seemed to be more concerned with being right, rather than being effective.  I was irritated at their refusal to accept me as I am (even at an advanced age in my adulthood). When I look back, I realize that I was engaged in the same challenge--refusing at some levels to accept them. In the midst of the heat of the discomfort, I was presented with an opportunity. I could either attempt to validate my view (and risk alienation and rejection) or I could simply release the need for approval. The difficulty of the situation provided me with the opportunity to decide in my actions who it is that I wanted to be in that moment. Did I want to be self-righteous, victimized or loving and compassionate? It is not a judgment about the choice; it is simply clarity around the choice that I was making. Now I am able to step back from the emotion and realize that this conflict was not a punishment; it was a gift.

What are your current challenges? What difficulties are you experiencing in your life at this moment? How might this opportunity be a gift (perhaps cleverly disguised)? If you were able to look into your future, how might this experience serve you in creating greater success in your life?

Success or sabotage? Every experience, interaction, and challenge is either one or the other; the choice is always yours to make.

Is this going to be an incredible day?  Where are the opportunities to make it so?