“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”—William Arthur Ward
The above quote sums up the athletes represented in parts 1-4 of this series (and pretty much anyone who has overcome the odds and succeeded). Often, it is this “adversity” that drives one to succeed. Whether one breaks or breaks records is a matter of choice. I don’t believe I can come up with a single example of someone who adversity touched and left unchanged. Og Mandino admonished us to “always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity”. In other words, break records.
I have repeatedly shared my love of the quote: “That which does not kill me makes me stronger” (Friedrich Neitzsche). Maybe it is why I favor exercise physiology, as well. After all, it is overload that makes one stronger (i.e., in order for a body system to adapt, it must be stressed to a level greater than that to which it is accustomed). The principle applies to Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social well-centeredness, as well.
Great things can come from the most unfortunate circumstances. Often, it is easy to ponder “why” when difficulty comes—when horrendous things happen—but it remains our choice whether adversity breaks us or we go on to break records. Break records.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!