The Benefits of Adversity

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records - Willian Arthur Ward

Now, now, now I know what you're thinking. Here's another clueless blogger raving about mind over matter blah blah blah. I'm not here to rant or rave, but after a recent realization, I thought my realization would be worth sharing. I started this off with the above quote because I believe it epitomizes the tone of the discussion. Are we potentially at our most capable when the world is against you ?

Without going into too much detail, it has been a rocky life personally for the last decade. There has always been a force from one direction whether that be family, financial, professional or other which has given me little time to breathe, and this cycle is still ongoing. Yet there have been many times when it seems that I have bitten off far more than I can chew, and yet somehow I chew a little harder.

Just to give some context to the source of my epiphany, the last year has been a huge challenge on all fronts. I moved somewhat 10 months ago to start a job in Data Analytics which I have a huge passion for, during these months I struggled with the burdens hidden behind the curtains of my private life. But there was always something which kept me going, maybe an urge to not be defeated? Maybe even the thought of giving up too sickening a pill to swallow? The dependence of others on my shoulders? At the end of the day, they are the different brush strokes which paint the adversity I faced.

I'm not looking at this from a personal point of view, but more from a human/psychological angle. Is there something inside in our guts which awakens when most vulnerable. The equivalent of a jolt of adrenaline when cornered by danger.

Let's take for instance the success of Albert Einstein. Under threat during the bubbling rise of fascism in Europe and living with no sense of security both financial & existential (being a jew in Nazi Europe). It was during these times of great peril that Einstein achieved his greatest works, which ultimately got him a ticket to the USA & a steady income from the Big Bank of Uncle Sam. Once Einstein moved to America he wasn't as productive as his time in Europe.

Of course, there are many many variables to consider and this could just purely be coincidental, but I believe there is soemthing to be said about it.

Personnally, I've discovered recently that when life is dealing it's worst cards to me, this gives me fuel to give it hell. The best way I can comapre this is like the Liverpool vs Ac Milan 2005 Champions League Final. Liverpool were trailing to a much favoured AC Milan 3-0 by half time, in the second half Liverpool scored 3 goals in 7 minutes and managed to win the game on penalties.

Was there a collective moment where everyone clicked. "There's no point in not fucking going at it now".

In face of the adversity I've faced in the last 10 months, I've felt this mentality. And today, I started my new job having being promoted to the higher echelons of a multi-billion dollar company because that ever looming moutain of failure was eye balling me all that time.

However, the realisation I had today was as follows: "Do I ever want to not have this adversity? What would I be without it ? Have I made things difficult for myself because that's when I thrive the most? In fact, could I ever imagine things being easy?"

And it shook me, because to be honest ladies & gentlemen. I had no idea how to answer that question

I would say to anyone with doubts or a huge burden. Fuck it, come at me world.