<Author>Michael</Author>
<Topic>How to Face Up to Your Difficulties</Topic>
<Source></Source>
<Nationality>USA</Nationality>Have you never had any difficulties in your life? I would be surprised if you never face any difficulties. I think that we all face difficulties at different times in our lives. Some of these are very serious. Some people of course think that we should have only negative attitudes toward difficulties. Others believe that we should always have positive attitudes towards such events in our lives. It is too simple to say that those with negative attitudes are wrong. Many people face overwhelming difficulties and lead very unhappy, unhealthy, or poor lives. Some face such overwhelming difficulties but still are able to be happy, feel healthy, or rich in good families or friends. It is quite easy to say that we should always be an optimist in terms of our difficulties. Some people think that their lives are all roses. Others believe that there are more rose thorns than the roses themselves. Some say that life is a bowl of cherries; others say that life is a bowl of cherry stones or pits. Some say that when life gives us lemons, we should make lemonade. Some say that the glass is half full; others say that the glass is half empty.
How should we overcome difficulties which come our way? One way, whenever possible, is to lead the most balanced lives possible. This means that we should strive to live in the most healthy physical, spiritual, and mental situations possible. Paule Freiere, a world famous Brazilian educator, in his book, The Pedagogy of the Oppressed, and other works, made this statement to those in Latin America who were suffering overwhelming oppression: "The human vocation of being human is to be truly human, to be truly human and alive, to be fully human, alive, and free, and to be truly human, alive, free, and creative." The meaning for us is that no matter what the difficulties that we face, is that as humans we can choose to overcome them. We should firmly recognize our own dignity as humans. It's a good viewpoint.
