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Adversity is the number one thing that kills plans for success. At first glance, many opportunities in life can initially appear as adversity. Sometimes, the only thing that makes the difference between whether it’s an opportunity or an obstacle is our individual perception. Every obstacle presents a great opportunity- when we look for it and find it.

Think of it this way. Walking directly into a 30-knot wind can be a difficult thing when you’re trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. The resistance alone can cause us to work harder, become frustrated, wait until the wind dies down or give up completely. Yet,  there is great power and energy in the force of a storm. What if we could find a way to use that to our benefit?

Abundance3 CopyA sailor or a kite boarder doesn’t look at the wind as adversity, but rather, finds a way to use the power of the wind to his or her advantage. Instead of focusing on what they don’t have (a motor, the wind blowing in the right direction, etc), they focus on what they DO have and find a way to utilize that to their advantage- even if it originally is perceived as adversity.P1060754

What if we learned to harness the power of the wind instead of seeing it as adversity? What if when something that we initially perceived as adversity showed up in our lives, we were able to take a step back, and ask, “How can I harness this to my advantage?”, instead of seeing it as a roadblock? That small shift alone can create the possibility for phenomenal success.

Instead of wishing that the wind would go away or waiting until it dies down, find the courage to step into the wind of adversity and utilize it’s power to move you where you want to be.

Img 0228Focus on what you DO have instead of what you don’t. Set your sails and harness the power and energy of your current situation- especially that which you might have originally defined as adversity.  Allow the redirection of that energy to propel you forward rather than stop you in your tracks.

You matter. Your dream matters. So the next time the  winds of adversity blow your way, set your sails and willingly step into the wind with a smile, knowing that it will get you to your destination even faster when you harness the power of adversity. Allow it to become your friend and take you where you want to be even faster than you could get there without the power of adversity behind you.

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Gail Lynne Goodwin is the founder of InspireMeToday.com, bringing the best inspiration to the world. InspireMeToday.com provides free inspiration, each day from a new Inspirational Luminary, to a global community of folks from over 150 countries. Gail has interviewed many well-known names including Sir Richard Branson, Guy Laliberte, Seth Godin, Tony Hseih, Gary Vaynerchuk, Michael Gerber, Marci Shimoff, Jack Canfield and hundreds more. According to Mashable, Gail was one of 2009's Top 25 Most Inspirational People on Twitter.

Prior to InspireMeToday.com, Gail spent several years as manager for her recording artist daughter, Carly. As a result of the success of their co-penned song, "Baby Come Back Home", Gail accompanied her daughter to bases in the US and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where Carly performed for our troops. Gail and Carly created the 'World's Longest Letter' of love and support and delivered the 18-mile long scroll on a month-long tour of Iraq and the Persian Gulf in 2006.

Gail is excited to present her latest course, Love in 21 Days, a step-by-step guide to finding love online. Love in 21 Days is founded on a logical process that has been tested - and proven! - by not only Gail, but also by students around the world who too have found love.

Gail is a published author and a regular writer for the Huffington Post. She offers mentoring and mastermind services to clients worldwide from her home in Whitefish, Montana. Follow Gail on Twitter or Google+.

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I’ve been dealing with learning how to look at adversity as my friend recently. I must say it is getting easier.

    Thanks,
    Gayle

  2. Wow Gail…how beautiful those pictures are. You are inspiring as always. Thanks and continue your fun times!

  3. This week of sailing and letting the wind and Captains Gail and Darryl take me wherever they knew to be a good choice has taught me to let go. Instead of fighting the winds of life, I’ve learned to flow, follow, and relax. What a joy to learn the pleasure of having fun every day instead of working my life away.

    Time for a swim…

  4. Hi Gail, I’m wondering how to harness my particular adversity and use it’s power. My dream is to trek in Nepal which is going to happen in October :0) but several months Ago after walking for 5 hours my back,legs and feet became very stiff and painful. This calmed after several days but now I am left with discomfort in the back of my right knee and a constantly ache in my back and hips especially after treating ( I’m a massage therapist). I hve had an on going back injury for 16 years now which doesn’t normally stop me from doing anything but now I can only walk for about an hour before my back and legs become uncomfortable. The trek is 14 days and I hoped to be in training by now. I’m having several types of treatment but nothing is working at the moments. I try to keep positive and look for the life lesson ( my body changed the course of my life when I was 21 and had to stop my dancing career due to injury. Is this what’s happening again?? I give thanks for my healing everyday but am fighting the anxiety that I may just not beable to full fill my dream at this time. If anyone has any ideas as to how I can turn this situation into a positive and fullnfill my dream please let me know…… I can’t see the wood for the trees at the moment!!
    Thank you for your constant inspiration Gail……. I look forward to your blog and gain something every day.
    Peace and Love Lisa xx

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