My family and I have had to endure adversity recently. I find that the causes are just everyday problems of life. Relatives dying, bills overdue and the like.My Mom has cancer but with treatment she should be okay.I was talking to my brother, after he brought my mom from her doctor appointment and we were having lunch, about fate.We were watching ESPN. They were showing old superbowl stories.We were lamenting the Bengals loss to Pittsburgh
and what a shame it was the way an injury derailed their playoff bid.I always remember that old sports adage:"When the going gets tough the tough get going!" Somehow in the face of what life presents that sentiment rings hollow.On the other hand it is
a belief in one's abilities, family and community that can help you with stand the cold heart of fate.It simply comes down to what choice you make to withstand adversity.I say fight the
power,fight the good fight.I told my brother about the time
I was playing on our high school team for a perfect season.
We needed one game for a perfect season.
I had never experienced, at the time, the conspiring of fate to
undermine totally, a group endeavor.A football team plays together to win.But, the outside variables of chance, destiny,weather and dumb luck can ruin the best intentions.
We were the team to beat. Mother Nature threw her hand into the mix that day.It was an unseasonably warm November day when we rode to the game.The moment we took the field the temperature dropped 30 degrees, a blinding snowstorm arose and the powerhouse running attack we had was now playing on a truly level field
with a team with less talent than we had.In that game I played
with everything I had and the weather became the deciding factor.
I missed a tackle on a fourth and one play because I couldn't stop sliding to make it!Weather helped decide a perfect season.
Just the way injury can test the mettle of a team in a playoff
game.The way we handle adversity is to trudge on with the belief that and the hope that we can meet the challenges ahead.
Faith in yourself and knowing tommorrow is another day
can really help you get through adversity.