“In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”~Albert Camus
There are many sayings that highlight the fact that adversity can often yield the best results. “You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.” “Diamonds are made under pressure.” “Every cloud has a silver lining.” These all remind us that it is often the difficult times that bring out the best in us or get us where we need to go.
What rings even truer for me in Albert Camus’ comment is the fact that during a tough time he learned to look inside himself and found an incredible treasure. If there is always an invincible summer within me then I no longer need to look outside for sources of warmth nor look to others for the sunshine I seek. I can find that which I need within myself.
This means more to me than simply believing that whatever difficulties I’m facing may yield me great results – a pearl in my oyster, a diamond created under pressure. It means that I can always look inside myself to find the warmth and hope I seek for comfort when the weather outside is cold. I always have the choice to not let the adversity get the best of me and to know that I somehow already have all I need.
What is the invincible summer within you? How can you find it when things seem bleakest?
Next time things seem too tough, look inside to find a source of comfort and/or inspiration. Notice what you find and record it for the future.
If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.
For help in finding the invincible summer within you, contact Robyn at rmcleod@chatsworthconsulting.com.
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