Don’t Let Life’s Misfortunes Diminish Your Strength

By Ettie Rutherford
Contributing Writer

I grew up hearing the adage, “He’s as strong as an ox”. I have been thinking more about that statement since I came across this message — “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger” — reminding me that we are made stronger because of life’s challenges.

Even though this is a lofty thought, it does not always resonate with everyone, because there are many, who allow tragedy and disappointments to weaken their spirit, have them focusing only on the negative aspects of the situation, or having “pity parties”, if there is an available audience.

While it is important to remember misfortunes, you should never allow them to cripple your life, by encircling yourself with a sense of hopelessness.

How then can you make yourself stronger, once your life has taken a detour? You can:

1. Decide to be a problem-solver and not a victim. Being a victim is unattractive.
2. Acknowledge that you are stronger than you think. Consider your accomplishments before the disaster.
3. Look at the situation realistically, by clarifying the things which you did right, as well as what you could have done differently.
4. Analyze your feelings and decide if they are based on facts, on wounded ego, on poor decision-making, or on your inability to see warning signals.
5. Seek assistance to formulate a plan for moving ahead and achieving your goals.
6. Celebrate small victories, and keep remembering that God might not stop the storm, but It teaches us, not only how to dance in the rain, but how to improve our steps.

In Sisterhood!

Award-winning Ettie Rutherford, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, M.Ed, is an educator, life coach, consultant and author of “Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?”. An accomplished public speaker, Ettie is the Founder and CEO of Women Are Worthy, which provides step-by-step strategies for women to achieve their goals, with a minimum amount of stress. She can be reached at ettie@womenrworthy.com