Adversity will happen. Something bad will happen to you and me tomorrow, the next day or sometime soon. What will you do? Most likely, your reaction will be predictable. It is what you have always done. How you face adversity defines you. What have you done in the past when hard things have happened? When someone treats you unfairly or cruelly? When you lost a job or a friendship? When hard times hit do you attack or retreat? Lead or cower?
You can’t just become courageous, or noble or wise or respected. Every adversity brings out the culmination of your past choices to adversity. If you have fallen short of what you desire when you honestly look back at how you handled hard times, don’t fret. The beautiful thing is that you will have plenty of opportunities to define yourself in a new way. Know that adversity is coming and prepare yourself. That’s living. Mere “existence” is just doing the thing you are scripted to do and avoiding pain altogether. It’s a poor strategy and a poor character in the end. Adversity defines you. Your choices define you.
Adversity does happen and it happens more than once. It happens because it’s part of life. What famous people are remembered for their easy journey in life? None! It was the adversity that molded their life and life decisions. Don, thanks for another great article. I’m reminded of Emily Hunter, a 17 year old Arlington High School senior who died from cancer November 11, 2003. She said a day before her death: “Life is short, put a dent in it.” She was courageous to the end and inspiring to help others realize that the way you welcome adversity is to make it a thumbprint with your life.