Strength Through Adversity
Tough times make tough people. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. OK, those statements may not always be true - because we do know broken people or people that have not recovered from a tragedy, but I agree with them for the most part.
Let me give you some personal examples. I was born with Dyslexia. Of course, that was before it was a well-known problem and the Doctors told my parents that the wires in my brain were a bit crossed. I also spent years in speech therapy - I'm not sure if the two are related, but both do play an important role in communications and accuracy. So after many years dealing with these issues, what do I do for a living? I work with technical detail-oriented people and work as a third party facilitator and negotiator. Coincidence? I don't think so. I spent so much time working on these areas as a child that they come very naturally to me today.
I also believe that tough times strengthen your relationships. Again I will use my personal life as an example. I am more in love with my husband today than I was before we were married. It is a strong and deep love that has grown by the problems in life that we have experienced together. The way he took care of me when I was ill, the way he was there when I was having our children, the diapers he changed, the other unpleasant things he has done while we have been together just make me love him more. Just this past week he was my hero again dealing with the septic tank! Yes, bringing me flowers is nice and I love the thoughtful things he does. But what really makes me love this man is how he digs in when things are tough and is willing to do the gross stuff!
I can also say my best work relationships bloomed from bad environments. Most of the valuable lessons I have learned at work have been with the tough times, environments and situations.
I don't tell you all this to say I want more bad stuff to happen! I don't like bad stuff. I don't like to go through tough times! I hate adversity! I want everything in my life and the people I care about to be nothing but happiness. However, that is not reality. There will be tough times and people you care about and you will have heartbreak, loss and disappointments.
With that being said, as bad as it may get, remember that something good can and usually does come out of the hard times! You may not realize it when you are in the process of grief or even going to a job you do not enjoy, but know that you can find something worthwhile in almost any situation. When you come out on the other side of the problem or situation you will find that you are smarter, stronger and so are your relationships.
I don't wish for you hardships, but I do wish for you the insight in knowing that there is strength to be found in adversity!
