Creator, 3:10 pm 02/01/09

I would love to hear some stories about overcoming adversity, please feel free to share!

One of my most triumphant moments was when I decided to start playing hockey at age 11. I had the support of my Mom but the rest was pure desire to play the sport. The first tryout was the worst since I didn’t even know how to skate. I was made fun of by the other players, I even ran into the coach because I couldn’t stop. They put me on an instructional team and within 3-years I was playing with the same kids that laughed at me during the tryouts. Oh, and I was very physical so I made sure they all paid for laughing at me

jsphili, 10:58 pm 02/05/09

I absolutely agree that if the Why is strong enough, the What can be accomplished. Desire is the seed of all the great accomplishments. Luke-warm Wanting is never enough. Passion and Desire are paramount. I tried out for forensics/public speaking in 9th grade and I was so scared at my first event I never uttered a word. I got up, looked at the audience and could not speak a word. I tried three times and my mouth would not work. Fear gripped me so tight I could not even breath. Mortified, I sat down. I will never forget that feeling. There and then, I vowed I’d never let this fear do that to me again. I wanted to beat this because I knew that I could never reach my goals in life living fearfully. After many years of work and many trials, the battle is won. Facing this fear every time, I now regularly speak in front of groups and occassionally larger crowds of a few hundred. I’m not only not afraid any more but I eagerly look forward to the events. I learned the trade, studied the greats and pursued the skill with purpose. I still do.

Every wall we climb and battle we face requires power and passion for victory. The bigger the battle the better the warrior we become. Welcome challenge: We are strengthened by each victory.

Creator, 11:56 pm 02/05/09

jsphili, that is a great story. In speaking to people, not everyone has such significant stories of overcoming adversity early in life. Often times, parents shelter children from the life experiences that (although tough) double as temendous learning opportunities. I’m very glad you posted this and happy to see you learned this lesson early in life.

NatalieMac, 6:12 pm 02/12/09

I think the biggest goal I accomplished in the face of adversity was getting my college degree. My parents did not believe in paying for college for their children – I was on my own. Unfortunately, our financial aid system doesn’t take that situation into account. You are required to report your parents’ income on your financial aid applications until you are 24. Because of that I didn’t qualify for financial aid.

I went away to my first semester of college without the money to pay for my first year. I thought I could work hard enough and work something out. I worked really hard, working three jobs in addition to my full course load, but by the end of the first semester, I was in financial trouble, and I had to admit to myself, friends and family that I simply couldn’t afford to stay at school. I was heartbroken and humiliated.

I took some time to work and pay off the balance of the bills from my first semester and then started taking classes at a less expensive school part time while I worked. I only took the classes I could pay for so I didn’t accumulate more debt. I got frustrated with the slow pace of my education and felt discouraged by how long it was going to take me to get there. But I kept going.

I got a promotion and started earning more money, which I spent on taking even more classes. Eventually I was working full time and attending school full time, paying for everything in full as I went along. I was tired a lot because I didn’t have much time to sleep, but I was proud of the progress I was finally making.

When I had about half my credits completed, I applied for a scholarship through my employer to see if I could get some help, and I won! A *full* scholarship to complete my last two years of school. It was such a relief. I’ll never forget jumping up and down and crying the day the scholarship committee called me.

Finally, after three years of struggling to get through, I was able to drop back to working part time and take a full time course load. The scholarship committee had chosen me because they were impressed that I showed so much determination to get through school, and that I was doing it with flying colors.

After six and a half years of hard work and studying, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.92 GPA.

Creator, 9:58 pm 02/12/09

NatalieMac, wow! Your story is TRULY a story of determination because regardless of the hurdles stacked against you, you persevered. There are so many younger generation folks that have not been TRULY challenged to overcome adversity. Much of it is the result of a sheltered childhood, yet some is just the lack of life experiences that help build maturity. Thank you so much for sharing such a great story!