If You Have Character, Please Rise

I'm reading a book (what else is new) that has some really interesting ideas in it. They're not novel, especially to our faith. But they're worded in a way that is making me stop and reflect. Like the purpose of challenge and pain in our lives. We all know that our challenges and frustrations help us grow into the sort of people that we want to be but the same idea was put forward that the same people, without the challenges and obstacles that we each face would be dry husks of that same person who has undergone trials in their lives. Challenges are what change us into a person that can be differentiated from another person primarily because they are what develop character. What it specifically said is that what a person does in the face of challenges is what sets them apart from another person.

I know that I undergo challenge after challenge every single day. From an overly busy job, to learning how to become a good manager (like herding cats), to finding the balance of work and motherhood, providing for all of the needs of my family - these are things I do every day. I scramble through each day just trying to end up with my mouth above the water line. But perhaps I can do this better. Maybe how I'm doing it all is very expected. What if I could find a way to rise above - excel, thrive, grow in these challenges instead of just existing/struggling/getting by to reach the next day.