We all endure adversity from time to time throughout our lives. A disappointing review at work, a flat tire on a rainy day, an unexpected financial expense, sickness, injuries, the death of a loved one, or heartbreak, we all have our fair share of bad days. As for me, I've had a bad month. Besides the joy of sharing my one year anniversary with my wonderful wife Ashley, things have been pretty rocky for me the past 30 days. I've endured tearing foot pain, a water-logged truck, an unnecessary trip to the emergency room, the loss of a friend, and the loss of an innocent young family member. All the while, I've been running close to 50 miles a week in preparation for my 10th marathon in Huntington, WV in early November. Hence, the reason for my absence of entries here on my blog. But, I've come to realize one thing through it all: life must and will go on and that things will never get better unless I do something about it myself.
Each one of these obstacles that I've encountered over the past few weeks, I've embraced as a challenge to my heart and soul. I've welcomed them with a reluctant smile because, what else can I do? I can’t change the events that have happened to me, I can only change myself.
They say when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. This is a really great metaphor for dealing with life’s difficulties and using what you have to make a bad situation better. But sometimes the obstacle, like a death, can’t be turned into a positive overnight or it’s hard to see the positive when things are going so badly. Sometimes it takes months or years to see the good that comes from substantial adversity. I realized this when my Dad passed away. It took me nearly 8 months to recognize that by dealing with my father’s death, I could help others who were going through the same situation, or comparatively hard times, such as I did. I could explain to others that adversity only makes you a better person, gives you a stronger will, and teaches you that life will eventually get better.
Whether it’s a small road block or a large one, a devastating loss or a minor setback, we all have to remember that life will get better. I say, when life gives you lemons, you smash them up, throw them to the ground, and ask “Is that all you got? Because I’m not going anywhere.”
