Archive for August, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Gage on
August 22, 2009
When you ask several people what adversity means you are likely to get many different responses. What about overcoming adversity? Again, it is likely you will get many different responses.
When one is in the midst of adversity we can easily think our challenges are more difficult than those experienced by others. Yet, when we step back and allow ourselves to view the situation of another from an empathetic perspective we often find our own pain can be minimized by the experiences of others.
Below is an excerpt from the book Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor E. Frankl
“The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity even under the most difficult circumstances to add a deeper meaning to his life. It may remain brave, dignified and unselfish. Or in the bitter fight for self-preservation he may forget his human dignity and become no more than an animal. Here lies the chance for a man either to make use of or to forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not.”
Victor Frankl survived the atrocities of concentration camps during WWII. His experiences are chronicled in Man’s Search for Meaning. Building upon the premise that one can find meaning through suffering; Frankl beautifully illustrates how tragic optimism is the concept that a person is genuinely optimistic even in the face of extremely negative circumstances.
As we have our day to day experiences and things don’t go the way we planned are we able to maintain a level of optimism or do we dig in our heals because things are not as we hoped?
It is not always experience that creates the space for change. Often the example of another can lend itself to amazing transformation.
An incredible example of what is possible when one searches for meaning beyond the experience can be found in Victor Frankl’s book.
For other examples that can create the space for change access the FREE eBook, Overcoming Adversity with Grace.
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, Overcomers
Posted by admin on
August 21, 2009
The other morning when I let my Portuguese Water Dog Emma out for her morning duties, I noticed a fledgling Robin in our back yard. This little guy hadn’t mastered flight yet, as a matter of fact, it was probably its first moment out of the nest.
I watched him all day trying to fly – all on his own. I thought he had been abandoned by his parents and being the “savior of all things furry, feathery and small” I was ready to make a little nest for him as per the instructions I looked up on the internet. I researched what to feed him, how to feed him and how to care for the little guy until…I don’t know when. I told my husband Dave about him and he kept telling me to leave him alone that he needed to learn on his own. I became obsessed with watching his failed attempts and then periods of rest. To allow him space without fear or interruption, I kept Emma out of the yard and took her for a long walk to give “Peep” – yes, of course I named him (or her) – the space to keep practicing.
A few hours later I saw his mom arrive to feed him while he was on the ground, I then knew for sure it was all part of flight training. Later in the afternoon, Peep was still in our yard, on the low rung of our garden fence and since he didn’t seem wary of humans yet, I approached him. I took oh, about 100 pictures of him and as I crept closer and closer until I realized that he didn’t mind me being there. I got right up to him and he let me rub his little spotted belly. That was so great! After sharing this amazing news with Dave, he promptly told me that now I will have to look after him since his parents won’t take him back now that he’s been touched by a human. Back to the internet to verify this fact as the guilt washed over me. Nope, it’s a myth. Peep will not be shunned by his family. Phew.
Around dinner time Peep’s mom and dad came back, fed him some more and then more flight training. By nightfall he had made it into the tree in our yard and I’m guessing, into his nest to sleep. The whole day of watching this guy struggle, then succeed made me think how many times in my desire to “help” those I perceive as suffering in some way, that I my interventions could actually be hindering them. Gulp.
At the same time that Peep was in our yard, I was struggling with a family situation that was pushing all my “savior” buttons and I was contemplating intervening to “help” those involved. That day with Peep taught me how we can inadvertently cripple those we’re trying to assist simply by our beliefs about what they are capable of. Peep reminded me of the brilliance within each and every one of us!
Kimberly Martin is a Certified Executive Coach and Principal of Martin Business Leadership, which creates custom business relationship strategies for health and wellness providers. They’ll help you grow your business, bring in new clients, solidify existing relationships and have enjoyable, authentic, effortless selling interactions! Visit www.MartinBusinessLeadership.com
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, inspiration
Posted by admin on
August 20, 2009
Nobody ever said life was easy. It can throw so many twists and turns at us that it’s no wonder we sometimes get lost along the way. When faced with a hardship it’s so easy to get caught up with the why-me’s and the self-pity that we lose sight of the actual gift we are being given which is the chance for growth. So long as one has the strength to overcome a challenge that person will likely be blessed with a fresh perspective on life and will in turn give more back to the world than they ever could have before. Using my own experience as background for this article I would like to share my insight on the subject of how to overcome adversity.
From http://www.ehow.com/ To read full article click here.
Read insights on Overcoming Adversity with Grace in the FREE eBook. http://overcomersinc.com/grace
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, Overcomers
Posted by admin on
August 19, 2009
Many people have watched the program, Little People, Big World. The program is meant to be entertaining, give viewers some insight into the lives of the Roloff family and show viewers that no matter how different we may be on the inside most of us have a lot in common.
One of the greatest outcomes of the show is the education people have gotten around discrimination. Discrimination is something that is a major obstacle for many and yet an experience of overcoming adversity by others.
In a recent posting on The Battalion Online, Amy Roloff shares her feelings about overcoming challenges.
According to the posting, despite the challenges present with being a little person, Roloff said her disability has been one of her greatest teachers.
“You know, you usually want to get rid of it, you wish it would go away, but you can’t change it so why fight it?” she said. “Learn to embrace it, accept it and really look at the advantage that you can have.”
Roloff said that embracing her disability has helped her to reach out and help others, especially those with disabilities.
Overcoming adversity is something we deal with each and every day regardless of social position, economic background, race, creed, lifestyle or culture.
To read the full article from the The Battalion Online click here.
Read insights on Overcoming Adversity with Grace in the FREE eBook. http://overcomersinc.com/grace
Technorati Tags: overcomersinc, overcoming adversity, overcoming discrimination
Posted by admin on
August 18, 2009
One of the reasons that we may not be overcoming our adversities is because we have got comfortable with our problems. Is that really possible? Absolutely! I remember my mom refusing to take a natural supplement that truly made her feel better, because she said, “then nobody would know that I was sick”. That can sound almost too ridiculous to believe, but I know that at some of my deepest and darkest moments, I used all sorts of excuses to get out of moving ahead.
Now you may not be that extreme but are you comfortable with the idea of “life after a resolution”? Are you ready for “life that now moves ahead” instead of being stuck? Those can be uncomfortable questions but they´re good ones.
For example, you may have an adversity of a difficult relationship. So you complain to your friends about your challenging partner or marriage mate. You think about life without the negativity this person brings into your life. And there it stops.
I remember saying to one of my clients once, “what would your life look like if you stopped complaining?” After her gasp of astonishment, she said almost sheepishly, “it would look quite different”.
I highly recommend that you look at your list of things you feel you need to overcome, aren´t perfect in your life or you would like to change. Then honestly, and that is the key word here, honestly look at how willing you are to give up the story, the drama, and the victimhood around that issue.
If you say good-bye to the unhappy relationship, would it become apparent that you were part of the problem? If you quit the job you hate, would it be obvious that you really need to brush up on your job skills? If you fired the clients you complain about, would you attract better ones?
Overcoming adversities in life is a choice. It is a choice we all make every single day. Remember…every adversity can be overcome. We simply need to choose to do so.
Jan Janzen is a non-denominational minister, healer and business coach. She is the author of two books and 8 CDs for the spiritual entrepreneur. To receive Jan´s complimentary ebook: 10 Secrets to Living the Life of Your Dreams, www.janjanzendaily.com
Enjoy more writings from Jan in the Overcoming Adversity with Grace FREE eBook.
http://overcomersinc.com/grace
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, Overcomers
