It is In Spite of Adversity That We Succeed

It is In Spite of Adversity that We Succeed

– Life’s Obstacles.  Internal and External.

Today, it feels like there are more obstacles than ever before.  But I am not sure that’s entirely true.  

You can’t jump from where you are today to where you want to be in your mind in 2 weeks.  I imagine if you won the lottery, you could financially be there are 2 weeks, but that’s not realistic.  And besides, if you can’t manage money, meaning you do not understand money, you will lose everything eventually.

Every day, dedicating 5 minutes a day to something that will help you grow will add up to a lot of knowledge, and time goes by fast. Trust me.

Some people can make life look so easy.  The reality is it is not.  It is how we handle Adversity— living in day-tight compartments.

During my years of growth and what seemed like constant Adversity, My Aunt would say, Ann, it was because of Adversity that you grew. I can tell you there is a lot about my life I could have done without.

Adversity, like Hope, means something different to everyone, just as my husband and I see two totally different endings in the movie Castaway. 

• In the end, my husband sees a new life for Tom Hanks, a new love.  Something positive.
• I see a lost love; after all these years and multiple times of seeing the movie, my heart aches for the lost love.  Andy sees positive; I see negative.
  • Ok, I can see a need for a therapist on this one, hahaha.

I get that there is a new love. Totally get it.  But, in the movie, what Tom Hank’s girlfriend went through was so gut-wrenching that it is hard to believe she can live happily ever after in her new reality.  I mean, let’s face it, Mr. Big is good-looking, but Tom Hanks is really sweet.  Haha.  Sometimes sweet trumps a good-looking hunk.

So, Adversity.  I  had the adversity discussion with my Aunt more times than I can count.  She would always tell me the reason I have been able to move forward was because of Adversity. 

You know, people tell you, you are who you are because of your journey.  If that is how it works, there would not be people living under bridges and homeless in the streets.  No one would live in poverty. 

After years,  and I mean years, of having the Adversity discussion with my Aunt. I would get into the “poor me” and wonder why I didn’t have the same opportunities as others and all of the other things we do in the poor me stage, blah, blah, blah.  But, meanwhile, I kept moving forward. 

So, when I thought about that comment, I got a little frustrated, and she knew it, but neither one of us had an answer.

Then, one day, my Aunt tells me, “Ann, you were successful In Spite of Adversity,” not because of Adversity, but In Spite of Adversity.  Actually, what she said was, “It was Inspite of Adversity” that you succeeded. 

Wow, she gave that a lot of thought.  I said, Thank you.  You are right; now that feels like something I can handle.

It is In Spite of Adversity that We Succeed.

What does the bible say about Adversity?

---

---

The Back Story

This story was written more than 10 years ago.

I thought about Veterans Day as I edited this story.  My heart goes out to all Vets—the Men and Women who were willing to give their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.  We are always only a few days from losing Freedom, and I believe we have taken our freedom for granted. 

Adversity is something we ALL live with, some of our own makings, some of it is plain old life.  Every day you wake up is an opportunity to overcome adversity and live a wonderful life.  Our young men and women who gave their lives for our Freedom will not wake up.   And those who went to war and came home have greater Adversity than most of us have ever experienced.  At least as of this writing. 

---

Veterans Day

Veterans Day honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace — dead or alive — although it’s largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices.

---

What to Write About?  – Writing Prompts

What does Adversity mean to you?

Tell about a time when you overcame Adversity

Tell your story of how You grew or plan to grow “in spite” of Adversity

Indiana Morning – How Great Thou Art