The seed of adversity

One should never view their challenges as a disadvantage this is what adversity continues to teach me daily. Over a month in lockdown I am learning that our circumstances either bring out the worst in us or the best in us. We are continuously telling each other to be strong but the question remains in how much we fully understand this.

Strength is not about a show of force – it is about character. Character is something we build over time and it is tested over and over whether anyone likes it or not.

As with the butterfly, adversity, as they say is necessary to build character in people. We never fully understand that there are deeper powers within one’s self especially in the most challenging of times.

I have had rocks thrown at me before, but I have also learned to use the same rocks to build. Slow as it may be, the patience placed in every foundation is by far more gratifying in the end.

Courage in the midst of adversity is one thing I am continuously learning about. I suppose, one can’t be brave only when good things happen, and in such times, such very difficult and trying times, adversity introduces us to our real selves.

How difficult it is to have the right attitude in times of adversity, but it is precisely having the right attitude that will graciously help us overcome every bit of it. Strength comes from overcoming the things we thought we couldn’t do – more so, couldn’t survive. Yet when we do, survive that is, we are often led to the greatest moments of our lives.

Tough times as we know it don’t last and hardships often prepare ordinary people for the extraordinary. No pain, no gain. Storms make people stronger and it is best to always remember that one’s greatest achievement often comes from our biggest disappointments.

As Napoleon Hill says, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” Certainly, this is something to look forward to.