We often keep hearing about "Steadfastness" or "Resoluteness in Adversity" or that very quality to surpass all the qualms in our life. Individuals embellished with such characteristics are bound to succeed in life and perform beyond their expectations. How are they able to do it? These individuals are mere mortals, like us, and they neither possess special skills nor are endowed with supernatural powers. But what often works for them is an unrelenting optimism and belief that everything happens for a reason and it is always for the good. They staunchly believe that there are no bad experiences in life and whatever you are going through it ultimately adds to your persona. This is what is called as "The unshakeable faith" - the ability to see the brighter side even in unfavorable circumstances. People who have this unshakeable faith exude an aura of confidence which helps them to sail through troubled waters.
Lance Edward Armstrong, the American former professional road racing cyclist, is arguably the world's greatest sportsman. In October 1996 he was diagnosed as having testicular cancer with a tumor that had metastasized to his brain and lungs. His cancer treatments included brain and testicular surgery and extensive chemotherapy, and his prognosis was originally poor. He went on to win the Tour de France (the world's toughest cycling tour) a record seven consecutive time, each year from 1999 to 2005, after having survived the cancer. Lance Armstrong is the only person in the world to perform this improbable feat. In 1999, he was named the ABC Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. In 2000 he won the Prince of Asturias Award in Sports. In 2002, Sports Illustrated magazine named him Sportsman of the Year. He was also named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the years 2002-2005. He received ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award in 2003. How could a person successfully steer his life away from the ominous jaws of death and rewrite his future? The answer is obvious. Lance Armstrong was a die hard optimist. Nothing deterred him from doing what he liked best to do in life, not even cancer. And that was cycling. When you are passionate in life, the future unfurls itself on a promising note.
Many times life takes an unexpected turn and we will be caught unawares. Be it an unfavorable posting, a missed opportunity on promotion, non-conducive work atmosphere or a threatening health issue, we need to rise about these misgivings and embrace life as it comes. There are no short cuts to success. It is our attitude and how we take life as it comes, that ultimately paves the way forward. There is a common saying that "When the going gets tough, the tough gets going". The unshakeable faith in us will help us to see through all the miseries and ambiguities in life. When you unwaveringly believe that you can, then you definitely CAN!.
"Always remember that what seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise"
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