Overcoming Obstacles

Life is full of obstacles and everyone goes through different problems. There are two possible outcomes to every problem: one is success and the other is failure. Often times, people face failure and just give up on that challenge. Others use that failure and work hard to reach success. As for me, I did face failure but that did not stop me from climbing over obstacles and persevering in the face of challenge and adversity.

Reflecting on all the times in my life that I have had to overcome obstacles there is a long list of mishaps, lessons learned and many other adventures. The top one of the list is going through US Navy boot camp, which consisted of basically being torn down and built back up. In short you are told that the way you have always learned things from as early age is the wrong way and there is only one way the Navy way.

Most of the successful people are wealthy and the wealthy work very hard and it takes up most of their life. They try something new that might not even work but that’s what courage is, doing something and not knowing what the outcome will be. For example, if someone wants to be a professional sports player they have to dedicate most of their time but in reality there’s a huge chance they don’t even come close. They did all that hard work not knowing what would happen. This is what makes humans so extraordinary we face problems like this every day but we always seem to overcome them. Having courage is what makes humans successful and to thrive on

Courage (noun): the ability to do something that frightens one, the strength in the face of pain or grief. In the novels Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the two characters Atticus and George both show courage throughout both novels. Atticus and George define courage by fighting alone when no one else supports them. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do...” This quote states “you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” Meaning even though you start with a disadvantage you still push through and fight!

Terry Goodkind once said, “Sometimes, making the wrong choice is better than making no choice. You have the courage to go forward; that is rare. A person who stands at the fork, unable to pick, will never get anywhere.” When Terry said these words he was no referring to our behavior, but to are response to the ( problem). People make good and bad decisions, but the choice you make, can make a differences. Avi, the author, of True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, input this idea for his reader in the book as he developed the theme of courage.

Fighting, persevering, believing, being courageous can expand the world, and help conquer harsh tasks. When having courage, we can learn from our past to grow our communities in the spirit of a hopeful future, by never being afraid of the outcome ahead of us, and doing things for the better of mankind.

“We don't develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.” - Barbara De Angelis

Everyone strives to do the impossible. But no matter how it is achieved, the trait of courage is extremely urgent. As it is the ability to accomplish something that is feared, courage is very important throughout the world as Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face…You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” While this quote may have different meanings to others, I assume this quote explains that when you stop worrying about something or feel better about achieving it, courage is gained. It is mandatory to stand up even though you can’t. While living with courage, I can connect this quote to my life, the arts, and the world around

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win and trying when you know you can lose.” This means trying even when you may not succeed is the true meaning of courage. Every time Ed Viesturs attempts to summit a mountain there is a fifty percent chance he won’t succeed.

Phillip stated his best part about college is being able to learn, having professors who actually care and being in organizations that are made to help minorities succeed.

Glaring upwards at the inclination of the slope I consistently question whether I could make it another step further. The trail conditions were not exceptional. The ground was so slick that every step you take you would slide back half a step. Swirling through my head thoughts like “THEY SAID THIS WOULD BE AN EASY BOOT PATH NOT A PRATICALLY OFF TRAIL ROUTE CLIMBING THIS STUPID MUDDY FACE!!!!”. I withheld my smoldering frustration inside and trotted up with an unpleasant and desperate gait. Over and over the climb leader yelled a Jens Voigt (Professional Cyclist) quote “Shut Up Legs! And do what I tell you.” in the most preposterous German accent. Time passed by in insignificant increments as I seemed to only scramble fifty more feet upwards.

Going through your life without an obstacle or setback is unrealistic. You are bound to have them no matter what you do. Some obstacles are harder to get over than others and some are minor and easy to deal with. All of them though, are very important to your life and shape you into the person you are now or will become. Everyone deals and manages with them differently, but it’s how it affects you after that is important. Did you come away from it stronger or weaker? Did you learn a lesson or not? Each obstacle you overcome should hopefully make you a better person in some way, shape, or form. I have had many personally, but one that has impacted me the most had just recently taken place in my life.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”

“ I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. but he who conquers that fear.” This quote is from a man who won a nobel peace prize, Nelson Mandela. This quote may leave people wondering what this means. Well this means that, courage doesn't mean you're not afraid of something. It means you're willing to stand up to what you're afraid of and also means having the ability to face your fears. Nelson was a political prisoner who fought for equality in South Africa and later became the first black president in his country.

“You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.” – Epicurus