Are You Defined or Informed By Adversity?

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation." - Henry David Thoreau, Walden

You and I are wired differently and we each have unique experiences. But you and I share the capacity for reason, a creative impulse, and a social instinct. What's more, you and I can choose how we frame any situation we find ourselves in.

No life is without trials and tribulations. But suffering is a choice. Suffering is what happens when you buy the lie that you are defined by your circumstances or that everything is beyond your control. You're not defined by your situation, and you do control the two things required to thrive anytime and anywhere. There's absolutely no need to resign yourself to a life of "quiet desperation."

Every adversity you face comes with lessons that can inform you. These lessons can be used to build yourself and help you become more resilient. You choose how an unfortunate incident or terrible tragedy is framed. That is up to you as is your decision about what you do next.

That's not to say you can resist or supress our emotional responses to difficult or challenging events or people. That would be unhealthy. But to cling to unhelpful emotions and act on them is even more unhealthy, unhelpful, and unnecessary!

No, not every adversity can be flipped into an advantage, not every misfortune can be managed, and not every obstacle is an opportunity in disguise. But in every moment you are afforded the chance to develop and employ the content of your character.

Even under the worst conditions, you can exercise the virtues of humility, patience, acceptance, and grace. That is something to be grateful for and embrace.

Are you defined or informed by adversity? You can decide to choose the latter in every moment.

Keep flying higher!

Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at Creative on Purpose

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