Dear loving people,
Today,
I reformat this interesting article on adversity by Amrit Hallan an online friend for your inner enrichment. Let’s begin
with Isaac Asimov who said “It
has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.”
I not only agree with him but I equally agree with Washington Irving when he
said “It is interesting to notice how some minds seem almost to create
themselves, springing up under every disadvantage, and working their solitary
but irresistible way through a thousand obstacles.”
Do you have
reasons to think that there is no end to the problems you face? Do you feel
that with each step forward, adverse circumstances pull you two steps back? If
so, then welcome to the majority. Most people feel the same way. A wise person
rightly said that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. You
have to decide how much suffering your pain is going
to inflict upon yourself and those around you. Here are a few ways of thinking
that will help you turn adversity into a positive experience.
Adversity is a Symptom, Not a Cause
Frequently,
adversity is a symptom of some other deeper problem. You just lost your job,
and you may think this is a devastating turn of events. But do you try to
figure out why you lost a job? What made you so dispensable? Was it the right
career for you? Similarly, if you are sick or your loved one is sick, try to
figure out why the sickness has happened. Is it your lifestyle? Is it the
environment around you? Is it simply your attitude? As physical pain is a
symptom of some malady, your adversity is a symptom of another problem.
Although your first priority is to handle the current situation, you should
make a mental note of the source of the problem. Unless you solve it, you’ll
keep getting into similar situations. “Nothing
is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the
gateways that lead to new beginnings” says Ralph Blum.
Adversity is a Lesson
The busyness of
our lives doesn’t allow us time to pause and appreciate the people we have
around us. Adversity often awakens us to the treasures that are far more
important than money and material possession: our health, our family and our
friends. Sudden financial losses teach us that we shouldn’t base our happiness
on money. An illness teaches us to be humble and lead a healthy life. Benjamin Disraeli said “There
is no education like adversity” A sudden loss
in the family makes us appreciate the cycle of birth, life and death. Such
things may seem superficial, but you should learn from adversities if you don’t
want them to control your life.
Adversity is Guidance
Sometimes
adversity comes to your life to suggest that it’s time to change course. For
example, when someone leaves you there is no use sulking and blaming yourself
(and even the other person, frankly). Instead you should take it as a sign that
a newer and more enlightened relationship should be sought that is more
meaningful or constructive. Or maybe you should invest your time in other
pursuits for the time being. “I was
complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet,” Confucius
said, and this is so true. Rather than getting bogged down with our own
problems we should pay attention to people who happily survive, and even
prosper, despite all odds. When you open your eyes and have a look at the
larger world, you’ll be happy to know how well life has treated you. John Churton Collins says “In prosperity, our friends know us; in
adversity, we know our friends.”
Conclusively, reflect on this French Proverb that says “Good fortune and bad are equally necessary
to man, to fit him to meet the contingencies of this life.” And like Confucius
once said “The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first
business, and success only a subsequent consideration.”
