Quote on Adversity
” The seeds of great success are often right in front of you, hidden in the ashes of adversity”
~ Francis Ford Coppola
Many successful people have failed to begin with. It is almost a pre-requisite to success! Adversity is a learning tool. The secret is not to give up.
Great shot by terren in Virginia
How to Feel Happy at Least 80% of the Time
BANISH ALL NEGATIVE THOUGHTS before they can take hold.
This is the number one reason I manage to feel pretty happy at least 80% of the time. The tactic is not to get yourself in an unhappy state in the first place.
If a violent story comes on the TV News, I mute it! If I see disturbing images, I turn away! If my friends are bitching and moaning about all the things they hate, or exchanging horror stories, I change the subject (or leave the room!). I never ponder upsetting scenarios…especially ones that don’t exist!
DO NOT watch, read, listen to or think about anything that gets you down. You don’t have to be ignorant, but don’t take all that negative stuff on board. Sift it if you have to, then dump it.
If banishing unhappy thoughts isn’t appropriate or possible, you can change them instead. Recently my father had a heart attack; of course I wanted to think of him, so I changed the way my thoughts went. I imagined him saying “You’re not going to get rid of me that easily” and filled my head with a vision of him 100% well again.
A week or so later, after a successful operation, I called him and he said those exact words!
So, what about the other 20% of the time? I believe it’s close to impossible to be happy all of the time (with the exception of a few very advanced monks who live in caves) because, let’s face it, we still face plenty of adversity in our day to day lives. Recognise the adversity for what it is. It will pass.
Remember, you get what you focus on, so the more unhappy thoughts you have the more you get. Mentally, put up a “NEGATIVE THOUGHTS NOT WELCOME” sign and you will be amazed at how much better you feel!
Great photo by
6 Steps for Coping With Adversity
“All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow” ~ John GrayWe are living in the age of adversity; life has its ups and downs and, try as you might, adversity is impossible to avoid. Problems are part of the universal life process. Even the happiest people in the world face adversity from time to time. Look at the Dalai Lama for example…he’s had to face great adversity in his life, being forced out of his homeland and into exile in India. Suffering spares no-one.
Great spiritual leaders however, know that there is an escape. Your true self doesn’t live in this world of suffering. The real provider of lasting well-being is your soul.
However, this is not to belittle the feelings of adversity which can be very real and sometimes devastating. These feelings have to be ‘worked through’ and will not usually disappear overnight.
I’m not a counsellor or psychologist but this is what we have found, by personal experience, works for us:
6 Steps you can take if you are encountering adversity:
- First of all, recognise adversity for what it is. We re-frame and reduce the intensity of it by making fire engine siren noises (neeh-naah!) when we recognise it entering our lives!
- Next, realise that adversity is temporary and seldom affects all parts of your life e.g you may lose your house and your job but your family still loves you; you still have your health etc.
- Practise gratitude; be grateful for what you have already.
- Understand that you have control over your response to adversity. As soon as pain appears, change your focus. There is a positive side to any event if you look for it.
- Reach a higher state of self-awareness by practising detachment. Learn to become a witness of your thoughts, feelings and reactions. This will enable you to see things more clearly by reducing the emotional involvement.
- Decide what action steps you can take today to help yourself; no matter how small.
Eventually you will reach a point where you genuinely feel that you have the power to cope.
Each one of us is different. How well do you cope with adversity? What are your strategies?
Photo by Handeson Gomes
Quote from Brian Tracy
“Seek for the valuable lesson in every setback or disappointment – you will always find one” ~Brian Tracy
I wanted to write an article on coping with adversity. Looking for inspiration I logged onto Twitter and these wise words from Brian Tracy appeared before me.
Co-incidence? I don’t believe in co-incidence. Do you?
Photo by sub_lime 79
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