When you examine the individuals behind some of the greatest discoveries, inventions, and successes in the history of humankind, you realize that every one of them had to face some type of adversity on their path that took them across the finish line. What’s telling is that when talking about their journey, nearly all of them credited the adversity they faced as the inspiration that fueled the continued pursuit of their goal. Doesn’t it make you wonder if all of us in today’s culture are willing to utilize that same strategy, or are we a living in a society that’s okay with giving up at the first sign of any semblance of adversity?
Consider the textbook definition of Adversity: Adversity is a noun that means a difficult or unlucky situation, state of hardship, or persistent misfortune. No wonder our first inclination is to repel or avoid any adversity that we come upon that’s sitting square in the center of the path we’re trying to advance on. Many times, some form of adversity shows up when we least expect it. When it does, we’re forced to make a choice.
For many of us, the path of least resistance when adversity surprises us is to simply give up. The “give up moment” can come easily for many who have regularly embraced the feeling that they’re always unlucky. It’s almost as if they anticipated adversity before it even showed up. The problem with that is the blindness that occurs preventing them from seeing that just on the other side of adversity lies success, goal completion, personal growth, momentum, and inspiration.
Think of how much our society respects all the come-from-behind victories in sports when an individual or team doesn’t give up. They crank up the effort because of being behind, not in spite of being behind. Many historical battles provide additional examples. One of the best is Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo back in June of 1815. Napoleon assumed he had the battle won, but the Duke of Wellington and Prussia's Gebhard von Blücher won the day with their response to the overwhelming adversity they faced in that battle that took place in what later became modern-day Belgium.
Do I crave adversity? No. Do I shy away from adversity? I try not to. My curiosity has allowed me to observe and study hundreds of successful people who pushed through the pain of adversity to reveal and discover purpose. I’ve also read a lot about overcoming obstacles, challenges, and adversity in life.
One example was a book I read in 2016 shortly after it was published entitled “Do Hard Things – A teenage rebellion against low expectations” written at the time by twin 18-year-old brothers. The targeted reader may have been teens but the thought process the book promoted was that every person on this earth is capable of doing a lot more than they currently believe they’re capable of doing. One of the personal values the book promoted was showing the powerful purpose and benefits behind believing in yourself.
Believing all of us are unique and that we all have personal skill sets that are constantly growing, very few people recognize what they are truly capable of. This is where encouragement can play the most powerful role in any person’s life. When other people encourage someone, their encouragement turbo-charges the ambition to do hard things and to achieve more than they ever thought they could. Encouragement amplifies a person’s efforts to succeed in every area of life. It’s like emotional gold.
As I’ve aged, one of the greatest joys I have each day is discovering opportunities to encourage others. Encouraging others helps them believe in themselves just a little bit more. That “little bit more” may be all they need to push through adversity to the other side where often purpose is revealed.
Everyone has a story and I’ve come to love hearing other people’s stories and the adversity contained within those stories that helped shape their character. I’ve come to realize that every person’s story contains adversity in some form and to varying degrees. Often, as they push through adversity, they discover purpose whether it’s momentary or long-term. It’s then that there’s an opportunity to shape the perspective that they successfully pushed through to the other side of adversity because of rather than in spite of what they had faced.
So, what about you? Have you ever taken a moment to intentionally consider what you’re truly capable of? What are the ways adversity has shaped your life and helped you discover purpose, whether in the moment or long-term? What role does encouragement currently play in your life? Do you frequently attract encouragement from others and when receiving it, do you utilize it to push through any adversity you’re facing to discover purpose? How often do you find yourself encouraging others? Encouraging others bolsters our belief in ourselves which leads to a feeling of joy. Can you imagine what the world would look like if we all became professional encouragers?
Pushing through adversity “in spite of” is fueled by fear. Pushing through adversity “because of” offers a path to purpose and fulfillment. Encouragement from others can turbo-charge our journey through adversity. Encouraging others helps both the giver and receiver believe in themselves more. Never fear adversity when it shows up at your doorstep. Accept adversity armed with the knowledge, talents, experience, and capabilities that have grown in you over your lifetime. Believe in yourself and always remember, Hey…I Really DoBelieve In YOU! GiddyUp!