Adversity Is The Greatest Teacher

There was a time in my life, I was in between jobs. I was young. I was a single mother and I was doing the best I could. Things were challenging to say the least. Sometimes we ate cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For a time, we went without running water. We counted change for gas and food. Often times it was a good day if I had enough change left over to get a happy meal for my sweet boy.

In my opinion, it was one of the best times in our life. Yes, you read that correctly, it was one of the best times in our life. 

There’s an old proverb that says, “When fate throws a dagger at you, there’s two ways to catch it by the blade or by the handle.” Enduring hard paths in our life prepares you in a way that is priceless. Better than any seminar, more productively than any book, you become a survivor. You learn to thrive no matter the situation presented. Adversity trains you like a special ops soldier for the battles of life. 

As you begin your training, adversity will tell you you’re defeated. You got nothing. Best you can do is learn to survive. This is where your will, your mind and your faith must show up. This is where you choose to make something out of nothing. This is where you absolutely see what you’re made of. You choose to catch the dagger of fate by the blade or by the handle. 

My son and I made it through that rough period. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other. I learned whatever would be thrown my way, I would do my very best to rise to the occasion. I realized I possessed another gear. I came to understand we can fully be present in every circumstance, whether good or bad. I learned that no one is in charge of making life happen for me, but I must be the one to go out and make life. 

One of the most valuable lessons adversity taught me is to focus. It’s easy to focus when things are going well. Clarity and perseverance is achieved when you learn to keep your focus even when things are not going well. You can only focus on what will happen next. Don’t look back. Don’t complain. Keep your eyes on where you’re headed not on where you’ve been.