The great 19th century writer Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us, "Not until we are pricked and stung and sorely shot at, awakens the indignation which arms itself with secret forces."
In other words, it is by embracing challenge that we are able to achieve our full potential as human beings.
I recall looking into mirror as a young man. I saw a sparkle of life in my eye, but I always questioned whether or not I would have that same "joie de vivre" after having lived in the adult world, with all of its obligations and responsibilities.
If I could speak to my younger self now, I would say, "Of course you will have the same smile and twinkle in your eye! You can not only handle every challenge that comes your way, you will grow in ways that you cannot even imagine by going through each experience!"
The attitude of embracing challenge to become better makes a great deal of sense. An athlete always tries to test her skills at the highest possible level of competition. When inevitable setbacks occur, she and her coaches will say, "Now you know where you want to go. What do you have to do to get there?" Without the challenge, she would never be able to come close to her full potential.
One of the great joys of life is meeting and interacting with other people. How inspiring it is to hear the story of how another person overcame oppression in their native country, has lived well despite a physical handicap, has overcome a dysfunctional family system, or has beaten an addiction. These heroes are all around us, and they see their triumphs as normal, as something that anyone would do.
We also love reading books, watching films and hearing lectures from those who have engaged the "secret forces" that Emerson speaks of. The reason is because each one of us not only has the capacity to do the same, each of us has an inner calling to turn adversity into triumph. When we try to avoid challenges, we not only inhibit our growth, we end up hurting ourselves. We all do this from time to time, but when we become aware of it, we can return to living life to the fullest.
What Emerson said not only applies to individuals, it applies to society as well. When we embrace challenges and look for solutions together, we make the world better. There is a tremendous power in a group of people who stand up for what they believe is right; even the mightiest empires of the world cannot resist this force.
In essence, what Emerson is saying is that we need not fear the future.
Yes, there will be adversity, it cannot be avoided. Not only is there adversity, however, there is a capacity to triumph and the desire to do so that is ingrained in the essence of the human being.
Getting up when we are knocked down, becoming better people as a result of the challenges we face, is one of the most beautiful celebrations of our humanity.
