Adversity

It's been eons since I posted anything as I was busy with work and school(excuses exccuses...) Currently, I'm having my final attachments(at last!!!) at Raffles Hospital. It's quite stressful over there as I'm expected to perform relatively well. There were times when I felt totally incompetent and I started to question my self-worth and why I thought of joining this course in the first place. I believe it is common for humans to act as such whenever we face any kind of obstacles in our life. But, I believe the way we perceive it determines our reaction to adversity and eventually the outcome, whether you succeed or break under the pressure of it all.

According to psychologist James Dobson, psychologists have long recognized that within certain limits adversity can have a positive effect on people by helping to build character. Biologists have observed that habitual well-being is not advantageous to a species. An existence without challenge takes a toll on virtually every living thing.

Dr. Dobson gives the example of the flabby animals in the zoo whose food is delivered to them every day and they have nothing to do in return. Or, consider a tree planted in a rain forest. Because water is readily available it does not have to extend its root system more than a few feet below the surface. As a result, it is often toppled by a minor wind storm. Sometimes water is not available in many areas of Texas. It is in these areas where the mesquite tree proves the point I'm making. It has to send its roots thirty or more feet in search of water. At that depth, not even a hurricane is going to blow that tree over.

People who are raised in meager circumstances and have to work for everything they acquire end up with much more than those to whom it is handed on a silver platter. We grow strong in our struggles. We all know the story of the boy who saw the butterfly struggling to get out of the cocoon and, in a misguided effort to help, cut away the remaining portion of the cocoon and let the butterfly out. The problem was that in the struggle the butterfly develops the wings and strength necessary to fly. Without the struggle, the little boy freed the butterfly only to have it die on the ground. It never fulfilled its destiny.

People are that way. Struggles can make us strong, so if you're in the midst of turmoil, get excited! You're in a growth process. Keep growing and I'll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!