Managing Adversity

"There is no education like adversity." - Benjamin Disraeli

In this chapter, Forni, helps us to see all that can be learned from adversity and the trials of life.  "Adversity allows you to rediscover the importance of what is priceless, such as family, friends, and health.  It can even teach you that most difficult of arts: being present in the moment.  All you need is the flexibility to revise your priorities, flexibility, acceptance, optimism, patience, and your commitment to causes larger than your own self-interest are the foundations upon which to build your response to adversity." (Forni, p. 144)

Tonight I attended a benefit for a friend of our family.  He has been given a 10% chance of living past this year as he has an aggressive form of brain cancer.  His daughter is my daughter's good friend and they have three small children just like we have three small children.  Tonight he was surrounded by hundreds of loving friends and family members and he was smiling and talking with everyone.  They sold over 500 bracelets with the word, HOPE, written on one side and I am wearing my hope bracelet right now.  He is holding onto hope, just as everyone in that room tonight is holding onto hope for him and his family.   Adversity truly teaches us what is important in life, and tonight I am reminded that life is hard and fleeting. I hugged my friends and family a little harder tonight. 

"The great Stoic thinkers remind us that we should accept suffering because it is part of the human condition.  We have not completely matured until we have gone through all that comes with adversity. Suffering is always a test. It is a test of our fortitude and resilience when we are the ones who suffer and a test of our compassion when it is other who do.  By fostering introspection, adversity fosters self-knowledge and indeed wisdom.  Everybody suffers, but it is not everybody's lot to be incapacitated by suffering. We may all be born with different levels of resiliency, but all of us can raise our own.  It takes self-awareness and willpower to find tranquility in adversity." (Forni, p. 145). 

My friend has seemed to find at least some tranquility in his adversity tonight.  Tonight was a very hopeful night and it was wonderful to see so much love and support in one room.  Tonight I am reflecting on the priceless things in life and feeling love and gratitude to be alive and healthy.  I pray my friend will again be healthy as well.