“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

Helen Keller

We all face adversities in life. Unexpected obstacles and challenges arise. 2020 presented plenty of those, particularly around our health and finances.

Some face harder adversities than others, but to the individual, at the time, it feels like the worst pain in the world. They think they will never escape it.

Hang in there. Light is around the corner.

Helen Keller faced enormous adversity. From a young age, she lost her sight and hearing. I can’t imagine how I could function in today’s world if that happened? Could things get any worse? 

It turns out you can still live a great life, regardless of setbacks. Human beings are very resilient and continuously surprise us.

It all depends on how you face the adversity. Do you back away in fear? Or do you lean into it?

Helen Keller was one to lean into the challenge. She learned how to communicate and became the first blind and deaf person to graduate college. She became a leading author, political activist, lecturer and humanitarian—remarkable achievements for someone who could not see or hear.

It makes me wonder, what are we capable off when pushed to our limits?

The real challenge is how to maintain that positive, growth-oriented mindset while under fire.

I hope that not many of us have to face such painful difficulty. But it puts into perspective some of the feeble excuses we make for ourselves about why we can’t do what we say we want to do.

While challenging at the time, it’s incredible how some adversities lead to a place of meaning and strength.

Reflection

During times of adversity, I will tell myself:

• Hang in there and recognise that it will be over soon enough.
• Try to remember that things are neither as good nor bad as they seem right now.
• Lean into the challenge. Focus on the growth opportunity and lessons to be learnt.