Making Lemonade from Lemons
The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists. ~Japanese Proverb
Life holds but a few guarantees and one of them is change. The world we live in is in a constant state of transition. Our ability to transition with it and be resilient to its many setbacks and difficulties is what will determine how happy, fulfilled and successful our lives will be. Resilience is defined as the ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched. Now in terms of people it could also be defined as “the process of, capacity for, or the outcome of successful adaptation despite challenging or threatening circumstances.” In the above quote the bamboo is stronger because it can bend yet bounce back, the oak on the other hand will only bend so far before it reaches a breaking point. For successful living we must live our lives like the bamboo, with the ability to recover and bounce back.
Incredibly, your life will be what you make of it. No path in life is straight and trouble free. Life is ever changing and we all encounter many bumps in the road. Too often we under achieve because we lack the ability to “hang tough” or bounce back when things become difficult. When we allow life’s disappointments to break us and our fear take over; we lose our ability to move forward and live out the journey that God intended for us to take. We then settle for less, adapt to the subpar conditions and become stuck in a “comfort zone” if you will. Now you should ask yourself, how comfortable is that zone when you are not achieving the happiness, joy and prosperity you so desire? Life doesn’t always give you what you want; but it often gives you just what you need to succeed.
Nelson Mandela is an incredible example of human resiliency. He was an anti-apartheid activist who was convicted on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed, while he led the movement against apartheid (a system of legal racial segregation). As a result of his conviction, he spent 27 years in prison. What is most incredible about his life is that he became the president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. His “prison to president“ journey would not have been possible were it not for his amazing ability to “bounce back” from and transcend his circumstances and his misfortunes.
Unfortunately many of us are living in prisons of our own making and have done so for many years. The prisons are of our minds. When we give up on the journey because of disappointments, and misfortune, we tell ourselves that we cannot succeed. Free yourself today by changing the way you see the challenges of life. Find your purpose and let it guide you. Adopt the “where there is a will there is a way” attitude. And turn the lemons of your life into sweet lemonade.
Ken Brown is one of America’s most inspiring, insightful life coaches, motivational speakers, entrepreneurs and authors of the 21st century. If you’re ready to change your life and make your dreams a reality visit www.KenBrownInternational.com.