I sat across from her, listening to the same stories I’ve heard before. Memorized recounts of every wrong delivered, minor betrayals, unkind words and health challenges. All real, valid hurts and hardships.
Most people across the globe have lived through similar experiences.
The difference: she decided that her experiences are unique, worse than others – and bitterness has taken hold. She’s labeled anyone with an extra dollar, stronger body, better relationships, etc., as magically handed these things…theirs a life of ease…a better stack of cards dealt to them vs. her.
Untrue in her case – and, for many others who decide and insist that the world is against only them.
After the draining conversation, I drove home contemplating what makes an overcomer vs. a giver-upper.
I’ve never known an adult who entirely avoided hardships or harsh words. Hard times can bring us down physically, spiritually and/or mentally. Harsh words plummet our spirit. But, as Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
We have tumbled…perhaps from our own poor choices or circumstances out of our control.
…we have also risen-which isn’t easy, but usually possible.
We can let go and move on – or, give unfairness, hardships, etc., more real estate in our heads – keeping us low.
Leaders, entrepreneurs, people in good relationships, gold medalists, mentally and physically healthy people we see up close or at a distance…they likely earned their way…people we see after the illness, after losing millions and rebuilding, after investing decades of time in their loved ones…after years working dawn to dusk…
There are famous people who endured, persevered and we learned about them on the other side – after they overcame odds: Vickor E. Frankl, Nelson Mandela, Nick Vujicic, Maya Angelou, JK Rowling, Corrie Ten Boom – to name a few.
There are significantly more non-famous individuals who got up, decided to let go of the bad and move forward.
We can too.
Here is Monday inspiration and a hope for us to push through adversity and overcome!
“The Lord allowed us to suffer, but it was not without purpose.” Corrie Ten Boom
“Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve…” Malcolm X
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33NLT
“In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 16:33MSG
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Tales from a Mid-Lifer 
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