Rediscovering Your Strength

Arenas of Foundation - the Parables of Your Past

Your past battles reveal untapped strength.

But your foundational stories are rarely told.

Wisdom grows from conquered challenges.

And build the parables that lead you to Strength.

Your Arenas

Have you ever considered the many battlegrounds you've braved to arrive at this moment? It's easy to overlook the stories that showcase your strength, demonstrate your courage, and define who you are. Let's unearth those tales together.

You’re too focused on failure.  I know because I am, too.

In the previous post, we explored the arenas in life…and it’s more than your difficulties.

The Arena(s) of Life

There are other arenas that you’ve been through.  We classify these arenas into three distinct types:

• The Arenas of Foundation: The milestones of your past are the foundations upon which your present stands.

• The Arenas of Transformation: The experiences that imparted invaluable lessons, shaping the wisdom with which you navigate.

• The Arenas of Untapped Potential: The unengaged challenges to revisit these with courage, for unengaged challenges.

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Embracing each of these arenas is a critical step in learning your unique steps of courage to face your chaos. 

The first and most challenging areas are where your past success has led you beyond. 

The arenas of Foundation.

Photo by Ramin Khatibi on Unsplash

The arenas of the foundation are reminiscent of childhood shoes we've outgrown. We keep them for memory's sake and as symbols of our growth and progress.

Revisiting these arenas allows us to see the progression of our capabilities, serving as a testament to our ability to surpass limitations and ascend to new heights.

We find proof of our capacity to grow and overcome in these conquered spaces. By extracting the essence of each victory, we construct a narrative of success that serves as an arsenal for current challenges. Acknowledging where we were and recognizing how far we've come gives us the strength to persevere. The trials once endured now shine as beacons, guiding us through the fog of current adversities and towards the dawn of new achievements.

But we’re often afraid of this arena.

We tend to discount most of the value of these arenas.  We save any conversation of these arenas for the 5 percent of our stories representing the most challenging things we’ve overcome. 

In doing so, we lose a significant source of courage and transformation.  You deserve to spend some more time on these arenas.  Why?  Because these are the stories that align to the vast majority of what you face day to day.  They are your own set of parables. 

Building your Parables

We resonate with the stories and narratives of others that echo through our existence. Often, we find ourselves captivated by the hero who bravely confronts towering challenges. Like the knight slaying the dragon, these tales traditionally conclude with "happily ever after." Yet, we all wonder what uncharted chapters of life continue beyond that final page.

You are the hero in your own "happily ever after," having surmounted hurdles that may inspire or echo in the hearts of others—victories that have faded in your memory but remain landmarks of your journey.

In the Christian New Testament, Jesus employed parables—stories rich in meaning, crafted not merely to inform but to transform thought and illuminate paths less traveled. A library of personal parables is created from your experiences, vanquished dragons, and daily triumphs.

Our current struggles often overshadow past triumphs, making them seem distant and disconnected. Yet, they are not. Recognizing and revisiting these milestones is vital to navigating the tumultuous present. They serve as reminders, as beacons, of our enduring resilience and adaptability.

Imagine the myriad of obstacles you've already overcome:

• Navigating the complexities of family and finding yourself.

• Choosing joy in difficult circumstances.

• Conquering academic challenges that once seemed impossible.

• Recovering from an injury through sheer determination.

• Choosing compassion over confrontation, grace over grievance.

• Completing projects deemed impossible, earning achievements where doubt once lingered.

These narratives, and countless others, comprise the parables of your experience. They are the foundations upon which you can build, reflect, and draw strength.

What are your parables?

Now that you've revisited the parables of your past, could you write down how these experiences have prepared you for your current challenges? Share your story with someone else, or reflect on it privately. Remember, your past victories are not just memories but tools for your future success.

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