Thomas Edison Was Afraid of the Dark...yet he overcame that obstacle in a big way and invented the light bulb. The door to opportunity swings on the hinges of adversity. Problems are the price of progress. The obstacles of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. Adversity has advantages!
The truth is, if you like things easy, you will have difficulties. If you like problems, you will succeed. The biggest successes are the ones who solve the biggest problems. Ann Giminez says, "Between you and anything significant will be giants in your path." You cannot bring about change without confrontation.
The problem you face is simply an opportunity for you to do your best. Have the attitude of Louisa May Alcott: "I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship." Don't let your problems take the lead. You take the lead.
The Chinese have a proverb that says, "The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials." It seems that great trials are the necessary preparation for greatness. Consider what Jesus said: "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world."
Every problem introduces a person to himself. Challenges make you stretch-they make you go beyond the norm. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Turning an obstacle to your advantage is the first step towards victory.
Life is as uncertain as a grapefruit's squirt. Consider what Sydney Harris said, "When I hear somebody say that 'Life is hard', I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'" We might as well face our problems. We can't run fast or far enough to get away from them all. Rather, we should have the attitude of Stan Musial, the famous Hall of Fame baseball player. Commenting on how to handle a spit ball, he said, "I'll just hit the dry side of the ball." Charles Kettering said, "No one would have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm."
The breakfast of champions is not cereal;
--it's obstacles.
