I'm going to share with you photos from my shoot for an online sports company.

Last month, I received emails—from my readers—that all seem to have one predominant subject in common—that is, how can one be more patient with life's challenges. Their circumstances are all quite different, however, the premise of their situation is relatively similar. While responding to their emails, I felt it would also do good to share some of my thoughts on this subject, with all of you.

Your daily life may consist of goals and achievements. Your goals may be large, as in becoming CEO of a major corporation, starting your own company and making millions, or building a huge home and starting a family, or they may be smaller, as in learning to cook for yourself, winning a golf tournament, or reading a new book every month. One thing I've learned is that the surest way to get from point A to Z is to first go to point B, then C, then D, and so on. Skipping a single step, even though it appears to be a shortcut, often is like leaping over too many stepping-stones, sooner or later you're going to slip.

Hair and make up.

Many of us live only for the big highs, but forget that each small step up the mountain is higher than the last. Some of us are so occupied with our goals—leaping ahead of ourselves to the end result—that we ignore the path and the process in between. On the other had, some of us get so disoriented or doubtful about how to get from here to there that we have trouble even setting our goals, or we get stuck on one step, suffering from tunnel vision.

Almost ready.

You may not know what the solution looks like if you're too busy fighting the problem. When challenges and difficulties confront you, your mind naturally shifts to what you don't want to do, cannot do, fear doing. In response to the dynamic power of the mind, you'll most likely get more of the very thing you don't want. When this happens, just remember: You are free to change, able to choose—you are in the process of evolution; flipping and flopping, striking back and striking out, stumbling and falling in order to determine who you are and what you want. This is all right, there's nothing wrong with this—just as long as you don't allow yourself to be consumed in this type of behavior for an extended period of time. Instead, allow yourself to experience these emotions honestly, learn from them, and move on. Like everyone else, you are the result of the choices you've made so far. So be sure each decision you make in life takes you a step closer to being your greater Self.

We're all set!

Also, keep in mind that in order to take the first step in reaching your goals, you don't have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step you see in front of you. You can break down any achievement, no matter how large or imposing, into discrete, manageable steps. By breaking your journey into shorter sections, you can appreciate each step as if it was an end in itself. Every step is a small success in itself so you can succeed many times, not just when you reach your final goal. What you learn on your journey can turn out to be more important than reaching your destination.

First scene—tie up the opposing team.

I have to play the bully.

For example, if you spend ten years traveling so you can photograph some of the world's most beautiful cities, and then all your photographs are destroyed, you have still gained the wonderful experience of seeing new sights, learning about different cultures, and not to mention you've gained inner qualities, including an ability to see with different eyes and to greater appreciate life's people.

Wedgy time!

Let's get down to business.

Before I leave you to ponder on how you want to deal with your life's challenges, let me remind you: On your climb to the top—to pursue your dreams, achieve your goals—there will be people who are going to throw stones at you. Don't worry about them, don't stop climbing, don't look back. Stay focused, stay strong, be smart, bob, weave, be quick on your feet, get out of the way. The people who are throwing stones will be so intent on hitting you they may not realize the stones they're throwing up at you will fall back down and hit them on the head.

Just a little tighter.

What did you say to me?

So you see...on your journey to do better, on your path to empowerment, you're going to find obstacles that will challenge you to make you stronger, make you think and rethink what you're doing. Thinking strengthens your mind, and your strong mind will understand that challenges you face aren't placed before you so you can sit back and let them consume you, but rather so you can learn to face them fearlessly, and with authority—knowing without a doubt they're offering you an opportunity to reach greater heights!

Don't you dare!!

Who's the underdog now?