Resilience in Adversity

There comes a moment when you feel like giving up when it's just too hard, and you feel so trapped. You are about to throw in the towel and let life take you into the ground, but then a spark of resolve arises, whispering, "It's not the end yet. There is hope. You can live."

Have you ever had that moment?

This is the resilience in your heart, imploring your mind beyond reason that there is a purpose for you in this world. You just haven't discovered it fully yet. The setbacks, obstacles, adversities, and humbling blows push you down and drown you, but…

Adversities Are Your Mentors

Without resistance, there is no need for force to push forward. Without gravity, there is no dream to push upwards into space. If there is no adversity, what will shape your character, integrity, or resolve?

Just as weights, lifting reps heavier and heavier, tear and build new muscle and blood vessels, the weights of life come like waves, bigger and stronger as you confront them. If you are not pushed back, it will be difficult to develop your core values, mindset, and skillsets. These hardships are your mentors, just like coaches make you practice above and beyond your current abilities and capabilities.

I call this the “Hill Principle”. I used to be very scared of riding up big hills. I once saw a cyclist fall because her chain snapped on the very hill I was about to ride up. After that day of riding, my knees hurt so much I could barely walk. This was a charity ride for cancer I was doing for my good friend Elliot Koo, who got a devastating cancer, sarcoma, at age 28 and died a good life at 30. I started riding up hills without fear when I thought of Elliot battling cancer. I could not imagine such a fight.

Now, I ride up large mountains, steep 25% hills, not merely to train my body but more so to train my mind and conquer my fears of the impossible. I started to ride standing up to generate more power up these 25% hills. Then, I developed the courage to ride up these steep hills sitting on my bike seat. Then I decided to ride up in the bigger, harder gear standing. Then, sitting, thinking that I would fall over. I got stronger and faster, climbing up the hills this way. They are still super hard, but now my body and mind are stronger.

The Hill Principle. Embrace it in everything that signals fear and conquer it by confronting it in bite-sizes until you can climb up that mountain of fear, pedal stroke by pedal stroke.

Resilience is the Hard Path to Your Magnum Opus

The more you dream of doing your Magnum Opus, the more setbacks you will encounter, and they will become harder as you dream bigger. Each setback will either make you fall or make you stronger. 

When I read the story of how God allowed the tribes in the land of Canaan to remain in order to train the younger generation in battle, as they had not yet experienced battle, it made me reflect on all the adversities I have had in my life. There were times when I was depressed, in despair, and sometimes suicidal. Still, looking back, I see how they made me resilient and full of grit — a tenacity to relentlessly overcome obstacles in different ways to advance to my dream.

Never Give Up on You

Just one big reminder:

When you think it's over, remember that it's not — you are just in the cocoon stage, and when you eventually emerge from your cocoon, you will be bestowed with a life-changing transformation. And unlike a butterfly, you will have many cocoon experiences that will transform you.

See your Magnum Opus, believe in your Magnum Opus, live your Magnum Opus and be your Magnum Opus.

Read on for my big life question (only one-minute more). It helped me in my life and I hope it helps you in yours.