“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” – Napoleon Hill
I know what it’s like to feel betrayed, lonely, helpless…Broken.
There were times in my life when I was truly alone, times when I had nobody to confide in.
The pain of loneliness is real, and I felt it deeply for a while…So deep that it left a void in my heart.
After getting everything taken from me, there was a long stretch when I was numbed to positive emotions. Happiness, bliss, joy…It didn’t matter, as the only sensations I felt were a boiling rage and a call for revenge.
When reflecting on my past self, I just cringe thinking about this state of mind.
After enduring through many obstacles, I developed a victim mentality, and I thought that everybody was against me.
When in reality, it was I who was responsible for all the outcomes. However, I wasn’t aware of this at the time, and I went on with my life feeling angry at the world.
I lived with a mask, a facade covering up all the repressed emotions within me. Sometimes they would come bursting out all at once, and I’d let them get the best of me.
I was wounded, and the battle scars continue to reveal themselves through flashbacks, compulsive thoughts, nightmares, and more…I’m still fighting in this ongoing war today.
Perhaps you were expecting an excerpt filled with uplifting quotes or something along those lines…Well that’s not my intention here.
Looking back in hindsight, I’m grateful for all the adversity in my life, as I wouldn’t be half the man I am today if there was no burning desire to keep moving forward.
My goal is to share my story and let you know that whatever you’re going through now is only temporary.
Every obstacle in your life is simply a cloud drifting across the sky: it may be blocking the sunlight now, but the wind will eventually clear it away.
Life gives its toughest battles to the strongest warriors, and it’s the darkest of days when one will truly evolve as an individual.
Without pain and reflection, your inner self will never be challenged.
If you aren’t being challenged, then you won’t grow.
If you aren’t growing, then you’ll be left behind while the rest of us are: so use your adversity as a weapon.
It’s the strongest fuel to your fire.
Let it blaze and spread, as this will allow you to achieve greatness.
JL