How do you handle adverse situations? Let’s face it, every day is not sunshine and rainbows. I don’t care how connected or powerful you are; difficult times happen. How do you react to these trying times? Your reaction is important to your personal development.
Are you the type of person that complains about the current state in which you find yourself? I hope not. Complaining is nonacceptance of what is going on in your life. Complaining has never provided a solution to any situation. In fact, when you complain, you make yourself into a victim.
Handling Adverse Situations
Instead of complaining, accept the situation as it is, and look for anything positive that can come out of it. If possible, find ways to change the situation. I have recently read some blog posts from someone who faced a difficult circumstance and accepted it.
My friend Hamish, from hardlinesheavytimes.wordpress.com, found himself dealing with adversity a few days ago. Hamish is a wonderful and talented young man from New Zealand who traveled to the States to compete in a World Ultimate Frisbee Competition.
COVID-19
I am sure he put in many hours of training and sacrifice with his teammates to come and compete. Shortly after arriving and only three days before the tournament, he tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be quarantined. It had to be devastating to watch his teammates travel on without him. It is one of the worst things that can happen to an athlete.
Despite his disappointment, he has handled the situation admirably. He wrote in his blog about accepting this adversity. In his words, “It sucks. But is not insurmountable.” In addition, he changed his goal from playing in the tournament to being there for his teammates.
He has chosen to create memories rather than focus on his disappointment.
Accept It
How do you handle adverse situations? Be like Hamish and accept it. Acceptance is surrender, and there is great strength in it. By surrendering to the situation you become free internally.
Sunshine and rainbows are always out there, even in the worst thunderstorm. If you look hard enough, you will find them.
