I wrote the following five years ago, in the midst of a challenging farming season. Nevertheless, the truths it contains remain just as relevant today as they were back then.
I began with the following question:
How does one navigate through tough times?
“My family had a rough go this last week.
We had just completed the grain harvest and were gearing up to cut our third crop of hay. We were feeling pretty good about the season’s work, and were looking forward to putting up a good-quality hay crop. Suddenly, out of the blue a violent, 3-minute hail storm wiped out our third crop of hay!
Yes! You read that right. The whole crop of hay was lost!
Stems snapped, leaves were stripped, and what little remained stood in shock unable to continue growing. All we can do now is cut it and get it off the field. (We are still in this experience, as I am writing.)
Just like that! In less than 3 minutes, our positive, hopeful outlook for the future turned upside down! Needless to say, it was tough to take.
Chances are you’ve been through similar discouraging and disheartening experiences where it feels as if the rug has been pulled out from under you.
Do you possess the tools and the confidence needed to pick yourself back up?
We’ve been farming for 33 years now, and while experiences like this never get easier, we’ve weathered enough of them to glean a few insights that can carry us through these trying times.
7 Truths to Help You Overcome Adversity
- Permit yourself to feel your emotions. All of them. Allow the tine necessary for processing, but resist the urge to remain mired in them indefinitely.
- Confront the fear head-on and transition into the realm of facts and reality. It’s tempting to wallow in emotions, but this only hampers the process of growth.
- Look for the blessings. In every difficulty there is always something of equal or greater value to be thankful for. It may take time to discover, but it is always there.
- Be comforted that though painful, experience builds strength and can provide much needed wisdom. But this wisdom only develops as you consciously choose to grow in acceptance and understanding. Many qualities such as patience, character and appreciation can be gained through overcoming difficulties.
- Place things into perspective. Doing so helps you recognize the abundance of blessings you still possess.
- Choose to be grateful. Happiness does not make us thankful; being thankful makes us happy. Regardless of your circumstance, you can experience happiness by choosing to be grateful.
- Recognize you can’t change what happened, but you can choose how to respond from this moment forth. Taking responsibility for your response means choosing not to be a victim and to decide to move forward with faith and confidence.
Don’t give up when times are hard. Looking back, you’ll be amazed at your incredible strength and ability to overcome! You’ve done it before and you’ll do it again!”
Much love,
