by Andrew Bishop, General Manager – RecogNation
In the course of history, humanity has overcome hardships, misfortunes, setbacks, and tragedies. Through plagues, battles, and economic depressions—despite seeming insurmountable odds—as a whole, we have continued to rise to a new day and fight for our futures.
It is in our spirits to persevere. And, today’s challenges are no exception. I find comfort in that truth, and it has powered me through the days when my motivation, hope, and energy seem more like a battle than ever before.
The reality is, adversity and setbacks will always exist. How we respond to the trying times in our lives will determine our future outcomes. Here are a few favorite quotes that I turn to when I need a boost.
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” -St. Francis of Assisi
Few people begin by succeeding. It takes time and determination. When we were first thrown into the chaos this pandemic has caused, we were in survival mode. As the months have passed, we’ve adapted. Soon, we’ll emerge from a place of surviving to thriving, with new perspectives, talents, skills, and learnings. We just need to summon the perseverance and conviction that resides deep inside all of us to continue to fight through—one task, one next step, and one day at a time.
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” -Oprah Winfrey
There’s no question that the state of things has hurt many of us: financially, emotionally, physically, and more. Now is a time to reflect and ask ourselves what can we learn from this experience. Maybe it’s to strive for more stability, to acknowledge the need for connection and community in our lives, or take more control of our future reality. Whatever your lesson is, make the leap, believe in yourself, and begin applying it today.
“It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Adversity is preparation for greatness” – Andy Andrews
There is incredible satisfaction—and reward—in summoning the will to get back up after being knocked down. It builds our confidence, it proves our resilience, and makes us stronger for whatever struggle may come next.
Adversity can be an excuse or it can be a tool. I invite all of us to dig deep and find the resolve to not just endure, but to grow and flourish from these challenging and uncertain times.