The year was 1987 and I was a catering director at a Holiday Inn in Milwaukee.  This particular Holiday Inn had a Holidome and many times, after an evening event was over, I would stand at the railing overlooking the Holidome to absorb the peaceful, calm energy.  This particular Holidome was filled with tall trees illuminated by soft lighting and when it wasn’t filled with the screams of children playing in the pool, it was a very peaceful place.

One night, as I was absorbing the energy after a long day, a man came to stand beside me.  The first thing he said to me was "You know, those trees wouldn’t have a chance of survival if they were planted outside.”  

I thought it was a strange way to start a conversation so I asked him why.  He responded by letting me know that the trees in the Holidome were grown in a protected environment and have never been exposed to the elements.  He went on to explain that trees need wind and all of the elements of weather in order to become strong and resilient.  They need to grow outside in order to grow their roots deep into the earth. 

Because the trees in the Holidome never had the wind, rain and snow to strengthen them, their roots were shallow.  Which brought him back to his original statement that these trees, if planted outside, would never survive.

I have often thought of the wisdom that man imparted on me … especially during some difficult and challenging moments in my life.  I started comparing the challenges in my life to the wind, rain, sleet and snow.  I began to trust that the challenges were strengthening me, even if it doesn’t feel good at the time.

Adversity has a way of revealing our inner strength, a strength we often don’t realize we possess until we are tested.  Spiritual traditions across the world acknowledge that trials and tribulations serve as the forge that tempers the soul.  When life tests us, we dig deep within ourselves and it reveals untapped reserves of courage and perseverance.  Each storm that is weathered, we come to see ourselves as resilient, filled with courage to face whatever life challenges are presented to us.

During these times of challenges, we also begin searching for new tools to help us stay connected with our own inner light.  It offers an opportunity to create a deeper spiritual connection and to begin to understand, perhaps, why your soul chose the experience.  

So, the next time you face a challenge, remember that it is not just a hurdle to overcome, but a stepping stone on the path of spiritual awakening.