How Adversity Fuels Personal Growth: A Reflection on Spiritual Expansion

I have a question: How has adversity contributed to your personal growth? 

Whether created on my own accord or otherwise, adversity leaps into my life to teach me valuable lessons. During such times I am reminded of the powerful Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. — The Serenity Prayer

Pausing to take in the beauty of Botanical Gardens in St. Louis, Missouri, 2021.

More often than not, I try to assess my actions towards acceptance, courage, and knowing the difference — surrendering while taking responsibility for the choices I’ve made. In turn, the petals of my personal tulip progressively expand. As I eventually learned with my journey in sobriety, nothing and no one can force me to bloom. Certainly, some subjects take more time to digest while others simply need an uninhibited release of tears to cultivate my healing. As long as I am willing to surrender and leave the results to God, my transformation is timely, steady — divine.

I am also learning God has a way of reminding me to lend my Self compassion during the process by revealing my progress. Recently, I was encouraged to press on through not-so-subtle messages from other people, old journals, family heirlooms, and motivational videos I created in the past. Yes, the lesson(s) can be disguised as a “new” person, place, or thing. Still the focal point is that, as I learn, I also evolve.

Today my desire is to take the initiative to seek personal satisfaction in spite of any given circumstance.

For this, I am grateful.

So, how has adversity contributed to your personal evolution?

Until next time ... Joyous Journey

Elora