"Strength Through Adversity" by Janice Northcutt Huse (janicehuse.com)
Though adversity may scramble the puzzle pieces of your life, it arrives bearing a gift—a shift in consciousness that deepens your understanding and appreciation of Universal forces.
In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change—breaking down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place.
Susan L. Taylor
The value of adversity has long been the stuff of legend. In the Bhagavad Gita, Kunti, mother of heroic Arjuna, prays to Lord Krishna to bless her with a never-ending series of sorrows, reasoning that her thoughts will then always be turned to Him.
What is required of us is that we love the difficult and learn to deal with it. In the difficult are the friendly forces, the hands that work on us.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Yes, battling through adversity can bring you closer to God. But while Kunti’s devotion is admirable, her wish is impractical and misguided.
Experience may be hard but we claim its gifts because they are real, even though our feet bleed on its stones.
Mary Parker Follett
Ideally, unlike Kunti, you will transition from being reactive and learning through pain to being proactive and learning through joy. Until you make that transition, a calamity may be the only way for the Universe to get your attention.
A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice.
Edgar Watson Howe
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to buy Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
August 4, 2011 at 8:07 AM
It is through suffering that our soul learns and becomes perfected. Suffering has a noble purpose, the evolution of our soul. Our struggles are merely disguised opportunities to grow. Through adversity we are introduced to our true selves, not only our weaknesses, but also our strengths.
August 5, 2011 at 7:42 AM
Well said, Elaine. Thank you for your comment.