One of my favorite posters says, "Life is a test. It is only a test. Had this been a real life you would have been instructed where to go and what to do." Whenever I think of this humorous bit of wisdom, it reminds me not to take my life so seriously.

When you look at life and its many challenges as a test, or series of test, you begin to see each issue you face as an opportunity to grow, a chance to discover more about life. Whether you are being bombarded with problems, responsibilities, even insurmountable difficulties, when look at as a test, you always have a chance to succeed, in the sense of rising above that which is challenging you. If, on the other hand, you see each new issue you face as a serious battle that must be won in order to survive, you're probably in for a very rocky journey. The only time you are likely to be happy is when everything is working out just right. And we all know how often that happens.

As an experiment, see if you can apply this idea to something you are forced to deal whit. Perhaps you have much pressure from your parents or you have a demanding boss. See if you can redefine the issue, you face from being a "problem" to being a test. Rather than struggling with your issue see if there is something you can learn from it. Ask yourself, "Why is this an issue, in my life? What would it mean and what would be involved to rise above it? Could I possibly look at this issue any differently? Can I see it as a test of some kind?

If you give this strategy a try you may be surprised at your changed responses. It will become far more acceptable to you to accept thing as they are.