Adversity builds strength
The schools around here closed for a few half days because it was "too hot". Our kids are learning that when it gets tough, fold your cards and go home. Of course, there will be challenges to come far, far more difficult than that. "It is in the most difficult…
You gotta do what you gotta do…
You gotta do what you gotta do, until you can do what you want to do. You'll never be able to do what you want to do, unless you do what you gotta do really well.
Be tough on you.
For many years, and even now, each day I made sure I did what I had to to get better, not mess up, and live up to my commitments, and more. I learned how to do this better and better, especially by making mistakes. I made it a habit. Then…
Independence
"I'll walk where my own nature would be leading: it vexes me to choose another guide." - Emily Bronte "The first of earthly blessings, independence." - Edward Glenn "If you are not your own agent, you are someone else's." - Alice E. Molley "There is no support so strong as…
Notes on High School
"I have a friend whose theory is that you're from wherever you went to high school. I think that is mostly true." - Steven Soderbergh "High school - those are your prime suffering years. They don't get better suffering than that." - Steve Carrell "In high school, my desire for…
Standing on the backs of giants
"A wise man can learn from the mistakes of others; a fool can't learn from his own." -Will Durant If you are to get ahead you must learn from others - from what they have learned the hard way, the expensive way, and the long way. By doing this you…
Quit drinking sugar
(The war on sugar continues...) You may eat well, but do you drink well? Soda, fruit juice, beer, wine, gatorade, iced tea.... it's all loaded with sugar. Best to drink water most of the time - don't you think?
Changing your life
How you see changing your life makes a huge difference. You can see it as a chore you have to go through, or as a gift you are giving yourself. Do you prefer chores or opening gifts?
Are you consistent?
Let's say I was traveling every day. For two days I go north, then I accidentally veer off and go east for three days. Then I change my mind and go southwest for five days, until I get distracted and go southeast for six days. Then I refocus and start…
Practice courage
"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult." -Seneca Do you step out of your comfort zone often?
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I’ve learned that I can do things I didn’t think I could do!
I have endured a lot over my 73 years. My faith has sustained me. Winston Churchill said it best: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts!”
Along the lines of “it’s too hot” I remember roasting on the deck of a ship in the Gulf of Mexico while working in oil and gas 5 years ago. It was the middle of August and temperatures were right around 100 degrees. Similar humidity and not a breeze to speak of. Standing on a 120 plus degree steel deck in full fire retardant coveralls, steel toe boots, hard hat and gloves it dawned on me that I was getting exactly what I wanted. In an flash of clarity and heat exhaustive delirium I connected all the dots and all the decisions that got me to that point and realized I was totally responsible for the situation. It was a big point of maturation for me and something I think about from time to time. That pain and suffering caused me to realize I no longer wanted to make a living with my back. It took a few more years but eventually I made it out. The struggle forced me to grow into something new.
It pains me to see how we teach our youth to fold so quickly. It didn’t hurt me at all to go through what I went through. We aren’t making adults, we’re making older “kids” that do not know how to handle tough situations.
Regardless of what your minds says, have faith in God. With one step at a time, you can push trough some serious sh*t. Have faith
How about all those snowstorms our moms drove through to get us to and from school in rear wheel drive cars. We’d get eight inches of snow and there would be a one hour delay or an early dismissal if we were lucky.
Not compromising your standards as you fight through adversity. Not easy to do, but well worth the confidence you gain!
I love the recent Marcus Aurelius quotes!
I find his insight and wisdom very grounding for moving forward with a solid and meaningfully life. Have you ready his ‘Meditations’ book? Fabulous… especially when viewed through the lens of Him being a Caesar
As far as the school, I bet this has something to do with the HVAC system and insulating factor of the school. Someone needs to tell them about the stack effect. 😂 But in all seriousness. My adversity in my youth, going through some serious stuff of which I will spare you all the details. Muscle is scar tissue. Hard times make a person strong. Sometimes hard times can be more than what person can handle. Working out too hard and too long without preparation and appropriately increasing moderation can cause muscle, tenants and ligaments to tear. Two little will cause atrophy and unnecessary stored energy in the body which can cause all types of health defects. I’ll aspects of life should be pushed to failure, reflected upon in rest and then push to failure again. Moderation does not mean mediocre!
Our school didn’t have AC and it never closed because of heat. We had to wear wool uniforms and the nuns wore their long habits and headgear. No one dared complain.
That partners are for dancing…………not for business
No one is coming to save you. Live each day with courage.
What I learned from the most difficult time in my life: Pray and have FAITH in God the Almighty. Be patient and wait for His time to answer. His glory will show forth in all situations. Amen.
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”
I look at a quote everyday that is on my desk, not sure where it came from, “Adversity is followed by good fortune”. I will add “Strength” as well. When there are difficult times, I agree with David Kase, “Pray and have FAITH in God the Almighty”. When you get to the other side of the struggle the resilience, relief, and wisdom gained is priceless. Lots of kids these days don’t get to work through an adverse situation where strength and good fortune is created. Building your personal foundation based on struggles helps you through your whole life and I am in a better position to help other people. The only way to learn from a struggle is to see it through and then reflect so the experience has meaning. Then understanding can be created to create a life lesson that is with you forever. God Bless everyone!
I have learned that if I have the proper responses and always do what’s right then I will come out on top of every difficult situation. With good friends and good family that love you there really is no limit to the amount of adversity that you can face. Faith that God has a perfect plan for my life and that He will do great things through me keeps me upbeat and positive in every situation, no matter how bad it seems. I actually get excited to see how the bad things will turn out good for me and those around me!
NOT TO QUIT!
My next 20 years plan changed in an instant last week with a phone call from an old friend and six words. “I got you. Look no further”. What was good before is going to be beyond better.