What Are You Made Of?

Let's see what you're made of.

The only time this phrase is used is when someone is about to experience some adversity.  A time when you are going to experience so much pressure, so much pain, so much stress, so many tough decisions, so much frustration, so much sadness, or so many obstacles that it is going to peel back everything except the basic foundation of which you are made.

To see what an athlete is made of, see how they perform under pressure with the game on the line.
To see what a politician is made of, watch how they lead a country at war and in a recession.
To see what a marriage is made of, watch how they treat each other when money is tight & kids are ill.
To see what a teacher is made of, see how they teach that rough bunch of kids at the end of the day.
To see what a ________ is made of, watch how they react when ________________.

The end of the year holiday season is usually a time when stress is high, tempers are short, and it is easy to see what people are made of.  Take some time to reflect and see what you are made of.  If you are rarely stressed, frustrated, sad, negative, or buckle under pressure then chances are you simply need to keep on doing what you're doing.  If not, then it's time to go back to the basics and begin to rebuild your basic foundation.  Here are a few ways to do that.

Form Good Habits - A habit is something you can do without thinking.  Perhaps you can develop habits of getting more sleep, making your lunch, praying, exercising, and spending time with family.  If these habits are developed in good times, they will continue in tough times.

Repetition - In order for a habit to stick you must repeat it over and over until you are able to do it without thinking.  Then when tough times hit, you will subconsciously continue with the good habits without even thinking about it.


Be Disciplined - No one is going to make you do this.  No one is going to build a foundation for you.  If you want to strengthen what you are made of it starts and ends with you.  


Be Accountable - Although it is your decision to make and your foundation to build, it sure is easier if someone is doing it with you.  Challenge a friend or ask a family member for help redeveloping your physical, spiritual, or emotional core.  

Let's see what you're made of!