The Upside of Adversity
He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
— Edmund Burke
"You couldn't train to be a boxer, a fencer, or a great tennis player without an opponent. Sure, you could drill, jump rope, practice your moves, but without somebody to try it all out on, you can't develop beyond a certain point. You need an oppositional force coming at you fast and furious to train your body and mind into shape.
"Top athletes push themselves and each other. What about when it seems like your circumstances are your adversary, throwing punches you're not sure you can handle? The most successful people in all realms use adversity to their advantage: to broaden their experience, hone their intelligence, and challenge their imagination. So the next time you feel a bit sorry for yourself because the going is getting tough, remember that anything that pushes you helps you. In fact, when you feel things might be too hard to handle, you are probably at the very brink of a breakthrough to becoming stronger and wiser."
