Adversity is Hard … But it Makes a HECK of an Introduction

Sadly enough, some folks stay in the same rut for longer than they have to because they are stuck on the perils of their circumstance.  One of my favorite quotes from my Mama has always been 

“Kristin…it’s not always about where you came from, it’s where you’re going”.  

Thus no matter how hard people hate on my hometown, I am proud to be the little girl from the mean streets of Detroit, MI – living the life I currently live, and perusing my goals.

The story of the person who beat the odds is always SO much more inspiring to me than the story of the person who had everything laid out, or handed to them.

Would the story of Forrest Gump be half as good had the film's namesake been an upper class, 5th generation Ivy Leaguer from the Upper East Side of Manhattan, from a long lineage of money and power?   Well maybe. 
But there’s just something more moving about the little southern boy with leg braces from Greenbo, Alabama –  who wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box, but none the less grew up to be a world class athlete, a war hero, and a successful (and wealthy) businessman.   
It just goes to show that any of us – no matter the circumstance, can defeat adversity and achieve anything.  The greatness Forrest was able to achieve despite his circumstances shows the stock he was made of .  All Forrest did most times, was follow directions exactly as they were given, and remain in a positive mindset. Existing in that state of being negated any shortcoming that had the potential to hold him back.

* * * * * * * *

I don’t want to sound as if I’m dogging the folks from ideal circumstances, for whom it seems all the stars are magically aligned.  On the same note – any opportunity to work smarter and not harder is always a welcome option.  But for the underdogs who, by the world’s standards, don’t stand a chance, I say POPPYCOCK. 

So what if you didn’t grow up in the best school district or get into the most prestigious of colleges?  Have you ever thought that YOU might grow up to be one of the most distinguished alumni from the high school / college you attend, which people may currently turn their nose up at?  You might be that person, that makes perspective students say “I want to go to that school - look who graduated from there!”   Think about it. 

Adversity opens up the opportunity for you to blaze your own path, and really shine when you reach your goal.  Don’t take it for granted. 

In closing, if you were a motivational keynote speaker, how would your emcee introduce you?   In my mind, my emcee would bullet point every mountain I climbed (respective to the subject matter) that has groomed me, and given me the authority to earn a spot to speak to the audience present on that day. 
…and with each bullet point the audience cheers would get louder and louder – making every challenge in my life worth the struggle in that moment, as I ready myself to address the crowd!   At stage left, behind the curtain,  I have my hands clasped in prayer, my eyes closed, and my head bowed as the emcee says the following:


Audience, Here’s a Woman who:

    Grew up in a single parent household with an absent father
    Was denied entry to some choice universities
    Struggled through school, but graduated college with honors
    Battled Weight & Self Esteem Issues after being called fat, ugly, stupid, etc.
    Fell victim to bullies numerous times throughout childhood
    Has lost upwards of 40lbs, and gained it back – TWICE              
                    [for the record I refuse to find     that  weight again]
    Failed Statistics TWICE […list goes on]

   
She’s been able to overcome depression & anxiety. She has gone on to work for 2 Fortune 500 companies, has founded her own media company, and continues to excel in whatever she sets out to do.  With faith, hard-work, determination, and God’s Grace she has persevered through every struggle.  
Please rise, and give a warm welcome to . . .
   
The point lies not in what I went through – but how I overcame it.  For the purpose of this blog entry  - I listed a lot more things that  might not be stated under normal conditions.  But I figured I might strike a chord with any reader currently surviving one, some, or even all of the same struggles.

Main Takeaway:  The way you view your current situation is the difference between “Down & Out”, and “Up and Over”.