Limitless Monday: Adversity To Opportunity

Limitless Monday – Adversity to opportunity

 

 

 

They say bad things happen for a reason. While I believe this phrase has merit, it also requires some further clarification. For starters, what are bad things? In a nut shell these can be described as events or scenarios that lead to pain.

 

 

When someone says all bad things happen for a reason, the implications are that pain is temporary. Pain is the immediate and necessary cost in order to be able to experience pleasure later. This reasoning would therefore suggest that these events are not in fact “bad”. They could be better described as stepping stones or defining moments.

 

 

The important point about these defining moments is how you handle them. Most people fling their hands up in despair. Many believe their life is over or “will never be the same again.” Panic is a natural first response, until your mind has a chance to settle and start processing what just happened. This processing can take a few seconds, sometimes days, possibly a year or more. Often we never gain control over these potentially defining moments which end up commanding our lives.

 

 

During the shock phase you will automatically ask, “What just happened?” And, “What am I going to do next?” That second question is a positive sign that you are beginning to think rationally.

 

 

The third question we should be asking is, “What is good about this?” When you can ask this question, you know you are now in a good place. You are beginning to act as the commander as opposed to the infantry soldier.

 

 

It’s easy to say everything happens for a reason, but much harder to hear when you’re in the thick of it: your girlfriend just dumped you, you’ve lost your job, you’re grappling with the loss of your life savings in a new business venture, or a loved one just got packed off to prison.

 

 

You must, however, aim to be receptive to this question as soon as humanly possible. For it is this question which will allow you to recover quickly from potentially debilitating events and use them to your advantage.

 

 

What we must avoid is letting a bad event turn us into a victim. We can’t become debilitated. We must use these types of events to build on so that in a few years time you can actually say, “That event was the making of me,” rather than, “That situation f*cked up my life!”

 

 

The worst events often lead to the best outcomes, but only if you maintain a positive attitude. Look for the good, and stay ready to make the most of any situation. Refuse to wallow in self-pity, and it will be the making of you.

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

Banner Image: Flower blooming in adversity. Image Credit – insta @H95i