Those things that we have to work the hardest for are often the most dear and appreciated.
Why do you think that is? A few weeks ago I was having dinner with a past colleague who is contemplating a major move and an advanced leadership position change with his company. As we were discussing this decision he stated that most things in his life have come easy for him such as his career and upward mobility and the income associated with it. He was describing all of the perks for taking this new position and on one hand he kept asking himself “what is the catch?” While on the other hand he was telling himself he would be crazy not to take and run with the opportunity. He confided in me that maybe it wouldn’t be a challenge and getting to this point had not really been hard. The next week he discovered what the initial challenge would be. The questions he is asking himself now is “will this challenge be strong enough and the experience fulfilling?”
Adversity comes in many forms. It is also in the eye of the beholder. What you may find as a challenge, I may see it differently. So being sensitive to others and the experiences they go through will assist you in all interpersonal relationships. Sometimes as an observer it is hard to watch as someone is going through a really hard time and you can be at a loss for words. Just being a friend and trying to understand what it is they are feeling and validating those feelings will provide comfort and balm to that friendship.
Years ago I was faced with a challenge that I could not view as an opportunity. Through the experience I was depressed, gaining weight, losing self confidence and receiving very little sleep. In speaking to one of my friends about the predicament he listened and gave some advice but the comment he made that I could really hold on to was “Linda, you have been through worse than this.” I have reflected on that observation when new challenges and adversity has reared its head.
How can we rise above adversity? What are some coping mechanisms to employ? What are some of your strategies? What have you seen others do that you can put into practice? Adversity will strike us all at one time or another in our lives. There are those you may know that seem to continue in a cycle of adversity never really coming out of it. What can you say to that individual?
In exploring these questions and suggesting solutions, I would like to refer to a presentation I gave when my youngest child received his Eagle Scout award. To receive this award the scout has to complete a community project where he demonstrates the embodiment of the Boy Scouting program. When I gave this presentation I researched the Eagle and its characteristics. What I found interesting is that the eagle uses adversity to soar. For instance, when turbulent winds are out, there are several things that happen. First off, greater lifting power is prevalent and the eagle is able to fly higher in the updrafts. Because of the updraft the eagle then has a larger view because he can get higher. These winds allow him to get to levels no one else is. It also allows the eagle to fly faster and stay higher longer. So this adversity really helps at the end of the day.
I really like this analogy of the eagle. Did you know that the eagle was created to live and fly in high places and not to live at ground level? Their wings are designed to keep it soaring continually. If the eagle pulls in his wings the law of gravity will take over. If the eagle is falling all he needs to do is stretch his wings and he will be lifted again.
You and I are like the eagle we were created to succeed! Through adversity we can grow and often achieve more than if we had not encountered the push back or turbulent winds. When we start to feel weak or think that all is lost we can open our minds and explore options to catch us from falling. By reflecting over our past challenges and realizing what we have come through in the past we will be able to internalize that perspective and have confidence again to step towards the future.
Adversity can be a gift if we let it. Like my friend who was worried there would be no challenges to push against and to grow from we can change our whole outlook as trials come our way and exclaim, bring it on!