Oscar Wilde said that “What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” It’s pretty hard to be able to think in the long-term when you’ve got a serious short-term problem to overcome. But it’s clear that a lot of things we see as problems or setbacks turn out to be blessings later on down the line. These are three of examples of what bitter trials that can end up being blessings in disguise: you never know, the next big problem you face might end up inspiring others!
A Disability Can be a Gateway to Ability
I really dislike the term “handicapped,” and I’m not too fond of the word “disability” either. I prefer “differently-abled,” because that term focuses on what a person can do, rather than what they can’t. Take Irish writer and painter Christy Brown, the subject of the Academy Award-winning film My Left Foot, for example. Born with cerebral palsy and unable to move any part of his body other than his left foot, he went on to become a world-famous painter thanks to determination and the support of his ahead-of-their-time parents. The takeaway? Sometimes, you never learn what talents you’ve got until you’re forced to adapt and overcome a “disability”!
From Rags to Riches
Did you know that Jim Carrey was once homeless? It’s true: he had to drop out of school to support his family at age 15 and ended up living in a van. However, he always held out hope that he’d make it: in 1990, he wrote himself a check for ten million dollars, dated it for Thanksgiving of 1995, and then stuck it in his pocket. You know what happened next, of course: by 1995 he was a movie star and had achieved the success he’d been chasing since he was at his absolute lowest. No matter how far you may fall, there’s always a way back up if you’ve got the persistence.
Can A Bad Childhood Be a Blessing Too?
If you had a bad childhood, chances are you don’t view it positively: and it’s not surprising given the numerous problems that stem from negative childhood experiences. Of course, if you know anything about me you know that I’m always looking for the positive in any situation. Knowing that you, at a young age, were able to overcome incredible hardship is incredibly self-motivating and encouraging and can help you see the beauty in even the toughest of situations.
I’m Jessica Cox, and my life’s calling is to help people see opportunity in unexpected places. If you’re in need of an inspirational speaker whose story can inspire you to see the positive in any situation and truly change your life, call me at 520-505-1359 or contact me on my website.