Finding Opportunity in Adversity: A Personal Journey

It was dreadfully cold in December as I stepped down into the snow covered trench and started to dig. Every muscle in my body was sore and it was difficult to move. Condensation freezes on the handles of all the work tools. When you use them, from the heat of your body, the ice melts from the handle and into your gloves, and turns your fingertips into icicles. In this blog we’re going to talk about finding opportunity in adversity.

The Comfortable Office Job

Two months earlier, I sat back in my cushioned office chair at my nice, big office desk and sipped on my steaming hot coffee that I had gotten fresh from the break room. I adjusted my glasses and thumbed through a small stack of invoices. I was just getting started for the day.

I finished off my second glazed donut, put in my earbuds, turned up my music and started invoicing away. This was an extremely comfortable job in a climate controlled office building with a fully stocked break room, free sodas, snacks, and fully private restrooms. I had finally scored the gig I’d been waiting for.

I was very proud of this new administrative position. I bought a whole new collection of business suits, shoes and a gold watch to match. I was committed for the long haul and within less than a year, I was laid off and back out in the cold. It was a reminder to how quickly things can change and without notice.

Have you ever you had a difficult or unexpected life transition?

Beating the Streets

JC carrying the 80lb bags of concrete up the hill to the job.

The search for an administrative role turned quickly into a search for anything that would pay rent and put food on the table. I did not have the luxury of sitting back on unemployment, withdrawing from savings, relying on friends or family members, or any other kind of social capitol.

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So I did what I know how to do. I searched all of the administrative positions on all of the job boards and started smiling and dialing. I put on my converse with my vested three-piece and beat the streets. I talked to people, shook hands, assumed the sale and scheduled follow-ups.

Have you ever laid awake at night, wondering if you would have the means to survive?

Each day things got a little more desperate as my reserves dried up quickly, and the ideal of having that prestigious administrative position faded more and more into something of a fairy tale. Soon I would settle for a basic CSR role, and when that did not come my way I would settle to be a lowly phone rep. And when even that did not come…

A stack of 80lb bags of concrete that were carried up a hill to the job.

Down in the Trenches

I stepped down into the snow covered trench and started to dig. Most of the dirt was frozen solid, and shoveling into it was like running the point of your spade right into a concrete wall. It would be met with a ruthless THUD! and send a painful, dull vibration into your hands and through your cold bones. So then the pick axe comes out… I had sworn to God I would never be doing this dreadful work again, and here I was.

Rebar fortification for caissons.

Jump right into some real philosphical debate with this popular blog on Understanding Human Resilience: Frankl and Panzram’s Divergent Paths.

Have you ever encountered a situation that challenged every ounce of your might?

Weeks went by and I became stronger. The work became lighter and at some point I actually started to enjoy the heavy lifting, the grit, and the struggle. It made me feel good at the end of the day, and more confident knowing that I can, in fact, manage whatever change is required of me in order to survive.

Emerging Triumphant

Months went by and I was eventually called back to my role in an administrative position. It was an exciting transition after having been down in the trenches again, and I emerged from that experience a different person, both hardened and humbled.

Wide angle of jobsite where caissons are being installed.

What I learned from that transition is this:

• The mind and body will adapt to whatever task is required of it.

• Adversity awakens and strengthens the spirit.

• Comfortable living, without adversity, can weaken the spirit.

• A spiritual death precedes a spiritual rebirth, or awakening.

• There can be great reward in accepting a challenge as it is presented.

• This, too, shall pass.

What interesting life transitions have you been through, and what did you learn from those experiences? Drop us a comment and share your thoughts!

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Author’s Note:The pictures in this blog were not taken in the cold that I have referred to in this story. On the contrary, this was a job done in the summertime, in ideal working conditions in the mountains outside of Boulder, Colorado.