" A
windmill's true power is revealed only
when it faces the wind; a
person's only when he faces adversity."
Zen
Proverb
How true that is - Our best lessons certainly
don't arrive when everything in our life is running smoothly do they.
During tough times, we find strength we
didn't know we had; we reveal our true strengths and weaknesses to all who care
to look. Often we feel stripped naked when we realise that no matter what we
think we may have materially, when faced with personal adversity, that's when
who we really are surfaces and what
we have, simply doesn't matter.
So what is it about adversity that brings out
the best in people? Why don’t we use those skills and resources all the time?
The truth is that we become divorced from our true nature, our in-built ability
to guide and nurture, both ourselves and others.
In times of trouble, adversity serves to
remind us of all the treasures in our lives, it makes us wake up and remember
who we are, and what is important in our lives.
Money troubles serve to remind us that we
really shouldn’t base our happiness around acquisition.
Serious illness brings us a reminder that we
are not immortal, it humbles us and reveals what marvellous creations we all
are. It reminds us that life is indeed too short, and that making the most of
our lives is important.
The loss of a loved one reminds us that we
are all part of the cycle of birth and death.
We think of so many things we didn’t do or
say, how many things we wish we had done.
Western society is filled with “things” the culture
is all about “things” we are judged by where we live, what we have, where we
work. Adversity reminds us that underneath the trappings, we are all the same.
So it is true, our troubles are often our
greatest blessings, they lift us from the stupor of societies expectations and
remind us of our true nature and ability.
I’ve spoken of expectations previously - Much
of our worries and sorrows are caused because we attach heavy expectations to
planned outcomes. However, the universe
often has other plans for us!
So we need to find a healthy balance – But
how?
I’ve met people who sit upon their backsides
expecting the universe to fulfil their wishes. Meanwhile they carry on talking
about change and dreaming, while doing absolutely nothing to change themselves
or their circumstance. Nothing wrong with faith, but how arrogant to assume
that the universe exists to bring them gifts with no effort or commitment
needed.
I have also met people who are so busy
working very long hours at stressful jobs, sometimes at the expense of their
relationships. They are so far removed from their inner (higher) selves, that
they function only at ego level. They succeed in having a perfectly material
life, lovely house car etc – but ultimately these are empty things.
I firmly believe that the balance comes from having
a dream, but actually taking steps to work towards them. I think that if you
follow your intuition and your heart for all the right reasons; the universe
responds with opportunities.
Whether we see these opportunities, is
another matter entirely, watch Derren Brown’s experiment about luck – it’s
fascinating.
So in summary, adversity is one of our best
teachers, one of the best motivators and to those who are willing to look in
the mirror, one of the best insights into our own character.
We cannot change what has happened to us in
life, but we have full control over how we react to it. When we are true to
ourselves, when we look at our dark sides and work on the not so pretty
elements of ourselves – that is when we become whole.
