“We Acquire The Strength We Have Overcome” ~ Emerson
How often have you consciously chosen to take adversity and make it into personal power?
Adversity can be a catalyst for growing one’s power – or it can induce whining and complaining. Similarly, misused power can be a gateway to abuse and, thus, to adversity. There’s a fascinating relationship between the two dynamics.
Emerson said, “We acquire the strength we have overcome.” In this context, one might rephrase that to say, “My power increases by the degree of adversity that I have overcome.”
I’m no fan of “rose-colored-glasses thinking,” but I do know that adversity can – if we allow it – make us more powerful. However, that’s a far more likely outcome if we set our intention and choose to make adversity into power.
Think of current adversity in your personal and professional life. How likely is it that that adversity is ultimately making you more powerful? Have you chosen that outcome in advance?