"What are your challenges and tests in the New Year?"

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The Great Barrier Reef stretches some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. It’s a real study in contrasts. The lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful.

The reason for this phenomenon is that the coral on the lagoon side is in still water with no challenge for its survival. It’s not stimulated to grow so it dies early. But the coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms—surges of power. It fights for survival every day of its life which forces it to grow. It changes and adapts as it’s challenged and tested. It grows healthy and strong every day.

Now you would think it would be the exact opposite, wouldn’t you? That the still water lagoon side would grow. But it’s the stimulated ocean side that grows instead.

We’re like this coral. We come alive and grow when we’re challenged and tested by life. And I’ll bet you’re already being challenged and tested by life in this new year, aren’t you? Listen to your life and focus on growing more alive as you make a life, not just a living today.

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