Life Challenges-About Us

About Life Challenges Who We Are

We all at some point face a life challenge, such as illness, relationship/family issues, job loss, death, addiction or abuse, an experience that shatters our world, transforms the way we live and our very self as we have known it, and may even throw us into what many call "the dark night of the soul."

This is a place where suffering can be so intense that it at times seems unbearable. However, it is also a place that is rich with potential if we take the chance to dive into that suffering and explore the rough-edged, holy mess of our lives, rather than run from it. Indeed, if in this place, we dare get really quiet and open our eyes, we may even see the signals and hear the voices in this night journey that lie beyond the suffering. Then, we have the opportunity to be reborn here, to find and embrace our own vibrant aliveness and truth and deepen our connection to the divine. Meaningful purpose may arise as we sweep away the residue of that which has become meaningless.

This is a place where miracles can happen, even when all hope seems lost.

Who We Are and How Life Challenges Was Born

Alissa Lukara

©2001 TE ZINS

Alissa M. Lukara, president and originator of Life Challenges, explains how Life Challenges came into being:

The idea for Life Challenges came to me one morning at 4 a.m. I was emerging from several years of personal challenges, including dealing with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and healing the wounds of childhood sexual abuse. Facing these tests completely altered my life, perspectives and relationships, and taught me as much about living fully and compassionately as about handling adversity.

During those pre-dawn hours, I thought about all the other people going through challenges who were waking up in the middle of the night-in pain, feeling sad or anxious or empty-and about how many times I had woken up feeling that way. Most of all, I imagined those individuals feeling alone-as so many dealing with life challenges do-not wanting to wake a friend or family member, unable to call a therapist or spiritual advisor, even if they had one. Perhaps they didn't even feel like talking to anyone, but still needed help. The idea for Life Challenges and its Web site-something people everywhere could access anytime-unfolded in an instant. Each topic within its main sections embodies an area in which I learned lessons that helped me on my own journey and that I found represent universal themes or core issues that can be applied to anyone's adversity. I share articles and tools that I discovered-or wished I had discovered-while facing my own challenges and that provide tangible ways to use or perceive trials as opportunities for growth and transformation."

In addition to working on Life Challenges, Alissa is writing a memoir of her healing journey, entitled Riding the Grace, and a transformational performance piece based on the same subject. She speaks to groups, drawing on her personal healing experiences and the lessons she learned from them. She also writes articles on interpersonal skills and relationships in the workplace for numerous business publications. Mostly, she considers herself a life artist, co-creating with The Great Mystery the various ups, downs, ins and outs of her glorious beloved life. Sometimes, she even reaches that ultimate place where she can let go of all this doing and labeling stuff, and then, she simply is. Contact Alissa at alissal@lifechallenges.org. You can also read some of her work on this site.

What We Offer

Life Challenges is about helping you seed, grow and harvest the potential of these times in your life. The writings, tools, stories and focus of discussion have been chosen:

To aid you in discovering and making the most of the opportunity that transitions and life-transforming events offer you
To remind you that you are loved and have worth and value no matter how turned around or despairing your life appears at this time
To know that others are making the passage through challenges, too, and experiencing the same difficulties and feelings that you are
To provide some tools that might help you through your passage
To suggest that even though you may be lost in the thick of the emotion and suffering of your experience, and feel like you can't go on like this, know that you won't feel like this forever.

Change is inevitable, and in the process of this change, your attitude, your way of being, and your life can transform in ways you never dreamed possible.

When You Need Special Help

While we do offer various forms of support, the information, dialogue and assistance we extend on this Web site are not meant in any way to take the place of personal therapy or medical treatment or to substitute for advice you've received from your physician, health practitioner, psychologist, counselor or spiritual advisor. You need all the help you can get while going through a life challenge, and trusted experts can provide individualized aid and guidance. In addition, if you find your way here while you are in a state of emergency, feeling suicidal, or hopeless, we encourage you to call 911, a suicide hot line or a crisis intervention line in your area in order to receive or be directed to the special attention you need. Our blessings go out to you.

Every Path Can Be The Right Path

Please note that while we include many different spiritual, religious, psychological and philosophical viewpoints, we do not espouse or support any one of them over another. Any path can be just the right one for you, depending upon what you need in the moment.

Want the latest news about how to transform life challenges?
Sign up for our e-letter here.

Helped by this site? Your tax-deductible donations do make a difference.(All amounts—$2, $100 and more—are appreciated). Click here for more donation and online charitable shopping and auction options.
Search this Site