Saturday, November 7, 2009

Out of Adversity Comes Opportunity

I've mentioned before that I am reading the book, "The Law of Success in Sixteen Lessons" by Napoleon Hill as part of my Master Mind Group.

I found this quote in the chapter on Imagination and I wanted to share it with you:
"If the winds of Fortune are temporarily blowing against you, remember that you can harness them and make them carry you toward your definite purpose, through the use of your imagination. A kite rises against the wind - not with it!" (page 178)
It reminds me of yet another quote I found in another book I am reading called, "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga":
"We say it is too difficult to make the hard choice today. And yet the obstacles in our path are the path. Every time we stretch beyond our resistance and our fear, we make a choice for life. And every time we choose life, we find that fear loses its grip on us. We all know more than we think we do, and we are stronger than we believe ourselves to be." (page 28)
Both of these quotes speak to the perspective that problems and obstacles are put in your path to help you move forward. If you view them as opportunities for growth, they are not as overwhelming and don't seem as powerful.

What mountains can you make into mole-hills simply by changing your perspective?

4 comments:

Mad Hatter said...

I love the idea of harnessing the wind to make it work for you...I think this is a really challenging concept to apply to infertility BEFORE you get pregnant and have a healthy baby. Afterwards, I am sure it is easier for women to understand what the universe might have been up to. I can say that there have been benefits to having to work hard to get pregnant - health benefits, spiritual benefits, being part of this blog community, taking stock of what matters, being a great mother because I will be so grateful to have the opportunity...Thank you for giving me pause to think of these things!

Lori Lavender Luz said...

This really speaks to me: "the obstacles in our path are the path."

It's because the very things that gave me the most anguish have also (in hindsight) given me the most resulting joy and depth.

Bonnie said...

It's so true that the obstacles in our path our what teaches us the most. I need to meditate on that today to know what obstacles are in my path right now.

Phoebe said...

I really love that second quote. It's a reminder that the path is the goal! I'll have to hang this up some where to remember it. Thanks!