Adversity Is Opportunity In Disguise

image: twitter.com

The years I have grown most are the years I have faced the most adversities.

I don't know if there were airplanes in Henry Ford's time or the quote in that picture attributed to him is an online prank, but I agree with the truth in the quote: When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.

In every sphere of life, the people doing the extraordinary are those who have faced extraordinary hardship. The best sailor is the one who has weathered the most storms. The Olympian gold medalist is the one who has worked the hardest. Even to look well-built you need to push your body against tough obstacles (workout). To rise to your potential in life, just like the airplane, you'll have to go against contrary winds.

In adversity lies the seed of a new and bigger you. You have to see every adversity that comes your way as an opportunity to be a better and stronger you. And if you can, put yourself more in the way of the type of adversities that will force you to become the type of person you want to be. Like the sailor, he keeps putting himself in the path of a storm. Even a ship's potential is in how well it can face a storm.

Though you can't be everything nor should you try to be everything, but you have to at least be something. Choose what you want to be and build yourself into one of the best in that sphere. That is only going to be possible by putting yourself against adversities. The adversity of starting small. Most people can't bring themselves low enough to start anything new. It's an adversity they will rather not face. Whenever you start something new and feel frustrated by the very slow progress you are making, don't feel sad, it is called the adversity of starting small and you will come out the better for it.

There's also the adversity of big dreams. Whenever you feel like a tiny ant at the foot of a hill, remember that there is only one way to go -- UP. When you have a dream so big that you can't connect the dots or logically plan how you will get there, then congratulate yourself. That was the type of adversity that led to the discovery of America. It is the type of adversity that gave us most of the inventions we now enjoy and take for granted. Don't let your pride and fear limit you. Have a big dream and commit to pursuing it.

Everyday (or kind of), I tell myself that I am at the ground floor of a Skyscraper, there is only one place to go and all it would take me to get there is time. It helps me brave up to any adversity that comes my way and seize the opportunity in it. It is a habit I will take into the new year.