Adversity builds character (whether you like it or not).
2009-2011 has been difficult for many people I know and care about. It was as if a terrible storm decided to descend upon a vast number of unsuspecting people. The signs may have been there, but we didn’t expect the struggle to last so long. They say, “What doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.” I’m not sure I agree with this perspective. Not every challenge leads to strength; sometimes it just forces us to alter our perspective. Change doesn’t always mean growth or better. It often just means different. In addition, certain wounds don’t always heal as we would like them to, but they heal nonetheless – time will see to this.
Whether your obstacles have been personal, professional, or both, I hope that you find the ability to persevere and hold tight to what grounds you. If the source of your despair is beyond your control and you feel rudderless in a stormy sea, take heart; it too shall pass. Don’t be too proud to ask for help or show your vulnerability. We all need a shoulder to lean on occasionally.
One thing is certain: 2012 will be different. Some of us will achieve success that surpasses our expectations, while others will, regrettably, endure the painful consequences of failure. Most of us will fall somewhere in the middle. Don’t let adversity get you too far down or define you in a way that doesn’t suit you. Regularly solicit feedback from friends and loved ones (and tell yourself) that you are up to any challenge. The only thing we can control is our actions and how we respond to the events around us. In dire circumstances, accepting “different” is better than the alternative of clinging to a view of your world that no longer exists. Life will never revert to what it was. Move forward in your journey, even when it’s hard, and be open to new beginnings. Happiness and success will inevitably resurface, sometimes when you least expect it.
Related articles
- Julia Moulden: How Adversity Can Lead To ‘Post-Traumatic Growth’ (huffingtonpost.com)
- Perseverance – That’s What’s Needed (annoi7.wordpress.com)
- The why of anxiety and the how of coping (brimmings.com)
- This Too Shall Pass (ourbirthwrite.org)