Sweet are the uses of Adversity

This is a quote I remember reading long time ago. Yet I understood at least in part the meaning very recently. Here I am sharing my learning with you.

So what does the above quote mean?

Adversity is circumstances, times or things that are not favorable to us. Simply put adversities are difficulties. Recent Pandemic times are a very apt example of adversity. When we looked around us, we saw difficulty everywhere. We faced challenges in our everyday work. The facilities we thought are always going to be there for us are suddenly not available.

(Take Mumbai locals for instance) Who would have thought Mumbai locals would stop some day? The friendly grocer shop in our locality erected barricades to keep us at a distance.

When we went to Doctors, did the Doctors and their staff, behave the same as earlier?  

How comfortable are you wearing a mask and calling on a Doctor who is wearing a mask and a face shield?  How do we read his facial expressions? All patients had difficulty in talking to Doctors. Most patients do not understand what the Doctor spoke.

These are some of our difficulties in current times. Now look at the quote. It says ‘Sweet are the uses of adversity”. What can be sweet or good uses of the difficulties?

A little time talking to ourselves will give us the answer to the question. In my case as I spent some difficult all alone I came up with a few answers. Here I share those answers with you.

• Never take for granted the good things in your life (You do not know when things will go bad. Many people have lost their livelihood. First the Pandemic and now Ukraine- Russia war. Some of the biggest economies are floundering. Businesses are in difficulty. Job losses are rampant. This is not the last time, it can happen again, anytime.
• Treat people with kindness. Everyone is fighting a battle. Appreciate their contribution to your life. This will get them on your side. Let them know you are grateful for their contribution.
• Be sensitive to concerns of your people. They will appreciate and your relationship will be stronger.
• Treat your team members with the same respect as you treat your boss. Show them you care for them, just their performance.
• Learn to give and receive feedback. One of the most popular leaders in the world history always asks for feedback from his team members after delivering his talks anywhere in the world.
• Last but not the least; be kind to yourself, take care of yourself and your families.

These realizations or learnings should help us do better for ourselves in present and future.