Accepting Challenges and Experiences in Life

What is the purpose of going through struggles and challenges? It seems that sometimes they seem to take us off our path we want to take. However, it all comes together when you accept the struggles and face the challenges as a way of learning and a means to grow from.
I relate it to athletic training, or a heavy workout session.
As one intensely begins the start of working out, one may wonder why they were even crazy enough to consider it. The pain, the fatigue, the shortness of breath leaves you wanting to quit. But as one trains the mind to proceed, it becomes more of a mental exercise than a body exercise. As one endures the pain and discomfort, the results are the only thought in mind: Total wellness and energy.
Much like the athlete, challenges should be faced the same way. Although unconsciously we are faced with challenges, consciously we choose to better our bodies.
Through challenges and struggles, pain, and heartache, we unconsciously want to run away or wish things were different because that is our natural reaction. Humans don't like change & want to keep a consistent ease of life. However, if we come to accept that things are bound to happen and come up unexpected, we can ease through our challenges as a way of accepting it as life. The more we continue to accept what is, rather than what should be, the more we open our hearts and come from a place of unconditional love. That is the way to go through the pain and suffering. It's to accept it, and acknowledge it is there, and think "What can I learn from this? Why has this been brought into my life unchosenly?" As we begin to assess our situation and the awkwardness we feel, we begin to recognize the areas we need to work on. For instance, if we wish things were a different way, accept them first. If we want someone to act a certain way, accept them first. It's a Catch 22. We can't force anything to happen. The more we accept from our heart, the more things will come into place and things will work itself out naturally and the more you will become a better person, next time they happen, consciously and emotionally.
This is our endurance we need to prevail from unconsciously created situations. This is how we get the results we want. If we just let go of our expectations of people and situations, things will turn around like you have never imagined they would.
After all, that is life. You can't control what happens, you can only control your reactions to what happens. We need these experiences to help better ourselves and to teach others in times of difficulty. We are there for each other. That's why we're here.
Next time you find yourself being critical of others and wanting them to change, remember that they all feel the same emotions we feel and we are all connected. Knowing this puts you at a level of acceptance. Energy is contagious and if we feel uncomfortable by our actions or the actions of others, start with your reaction and consciously choose love.