Adversity. I have long loved the quote: “That which does not kill me makes me stronger (Friedrich Nietzsche). It is the essence of a growth attitude—or grattitude. It is the challenges in life that make us stronger. Experience has long taught me that good comes from adversity.
My father was a management consultant for much of his career. His company was called “Phoenix Associates” from the mythological bird that from the ashes is brought to new life. So, perhaps it is a part of my upbringing. I never fail to trust that good is going to come from my struggles.
In trusting that good can come from adversity, it is important to understand that the good does not always come to us. At times, our struggles are for the sake of others. I have had far too many friends who have suffered with health and/or financial struggles, watch their child(ren) suffer through disease and disability, or lost a child. There is no joy in this for these friends. There aren’t always happy endings. More often than life sucks. But from this we grow, we learn compassion, we learn to love, and we become better people—if we choose to.
“Grateful” is not the best word to describe how I fell for the people who have suffered for my sake. It pains me that I have in some way “benefited” from their adversity. Even “indebted” fall short. “Blessed” is perhaps the best I can come up with.
I don’t wish anyone to suffer. When we see one who is struggling, we must do what we can do to ease their burden. Herein, is where we are blessed in adversity. We learn (or should learn) to cultivate love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
When we face adversity, let us remember that it will make us stronger and the life-philosophy of Mattie Stepanek: “Remember to play after every storm.” Let adversity grow you rather than destroy you.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
“Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.”—Dan Gable