Who we really are, what our real character is only truly elicited when we are challenged, as a proverb states, “In the darkest hour shines the brightest light.” Our true character shines through when we are pushed to our extremes and are placed in situations outside of the norm. Horace claims that when someone is faced with an adversity or a challenge, they are more likely to discover talents that they thought they never had. I agree with his claim that adversity breeds talents and strengthens our character, but still understand the importance of prosperity in developing talents.
The modern world has an abundance of prosperity; many countries are now affluent. In these prosperous circumstances talents stay hidden, but countries like Nepal, that don't have the same level of wealth are still connecting with nature. Living in Nepal has given me the chance to meet this challenge. When I was much younger my father took to me on a camping trip in the mountains we were meant to stay for a few days; but we ended up getting lost on our way to the site. We were lucky that we brought all our camping gear or we might have been in a larger mess. That night I was nervous, I didn’t know what as out side nor did I know where we were but there was something I did know. I knew that even though I was lost and scared there way a peace about where I was, by that I mean there were no other problems that just been. That night was also one of the first time I learnt to start a fire; I went out just before sun down I found some kindling and by the time it was dark we had a fire. The adversity of the dark cold night spurred me on; I didn't want to be stuck without light and heat. Without doubt I am not finest fire lighter in the world but I would have nev...
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...hey had such talents. Prosperity can unlike adversity take talents to the next level. A great example of this is sports. The world record for the one hundred meters time has gotten quicker over the years. Humans aren’t becoming more talented; instead prosperity is giving us the chance to train better. Prosperity can develop talents in way adversity couldn’t.
Though adversity can elicit talents that prosperity can’t it cannot develop talents like property. Adversity does not only illicit talent but also develops your character. Challenges shape who you are, in essence both talents and character are build in periods of both adversity and prosperity. We are able to develop talents when faced with adversity; but are able to improve them with prosperous periods. Prosperous periods can also develop new areas to have talents in, adversity and prosperity work hand in hand.
The purpose of this story was to illustrate the importance of how people view themselves and their abilities.
Both awe-inspiring and indescribable is life, the defined “state of being” that historians and scholars alike have been trying to put into words ever since written language was first created. And in the words of one such intellectual, Joshua J. Marine, “Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful”. Essentially, he is comparing life to a bowl of soup. Without challenges or hardships into which we can put forth effort and show our potential, it becomes a dull and flavorless broth. But for characters in novels like Nathaniel Hawthorne’s
“All of the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me.” Walt Disney. The books A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, a fictional book, and Iqbal a fictional book, share the same theory. A Long Walk to Water is a book about the true story of Salva; a little boy that gets separated from his family because of the war in South Sudan and later becomes the leader of a group called the Lost Boys of South Sudan. This novel also includes a fictional story of Nya, a little girl that can’t go to school, because she has to walk to the water well twice a day, taking up most of the day. Salva helps Nya get a water well in her village years later by using his organization, Water for South Sudan. Iqbal is the true story of Iqbal Masih, a little boy that became a child slave, but was able to set himself and his friends free from slavery. This book is told in the point of view of Fatima a fictional little girl that was one of the children who was enslaved in the same factory as Iqbal. In each book, the characters grow stronger because of a cultural conflict. Cultural conflicts can force people to become stronger.
Regardless of where one is born or how wealthy their family may be, having and maintaining a growth mind-set could then lead to success, and circumstances could help motivate one into trying harder and achieving more than they originally
The idea of taking risks appeal to most people, but what is actually learned from the act of risk taking? In the two readings, “Breaking through Uncertainty –Welcome Adversity,” by Jim McCormick, and “Neighbours,” by Lien Chao, the benefit derived from taking risks is explored. In McCormick’s article, a parachuting jump mishap leads to his revelation that confidence and certainty can be found. Chao’s short story deals with Sally befriending an elderly couple and joining them for Canada Day celebrations, and along the way realizes what’s important to herself. Though “Breaking Through Uncertainty –Welcome Adversity,” deals with a life saving risk, “Neighbours” is more about a personal risk, something that demonstrates much greater benefits as personal satisfaction.
According to J.K Rowling, “It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.” This conclusion postulates that it does not matter whether a person is fragile or robust, brilliant or dull, gifted or challenged, it is the choices that they make in life that crystallize who they are as people. Yet, can these words be ripped from their simple format and be plastered to the pillars of life themselves? For example, does the child protégé always have the will power to use their knowledge and select the right path? Or does the godlike athlete always think twice before taking a third steroid pill that week? In other words, this statement truly holds the glittering gold of truth and is often exhibited throughout society, and frequently through history as well. Two pieces of literature that clearly demonstrate this idea of a person’s personal building blocks being their decisions are the novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck and the Epic Poem, The Odyssey, by Homer. These texts both support this observation by requiring the protagonist to formulate great decisions that define them as people and what will be in store for them later in life.
Just like the sounding of your alarm every morning, adversities are ultimately inevitable in life. A Roman poet named Horace once said, "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." Horace examines the role that adversity plays in the growth of a person’s character and understanding of burdens and times of difficulty. In these times, when adversities are encountered, one’s real character is exposed. The true depth and intensity of human nature is disclosed, but true talent is not always found. But, what is found, is the truth behind that person’s character, and the strength they truly posses.
Most people do not actively seek out adversity, yet few can escape encountering adversity in the form of hardships and afflictions. Two people who faced great adversity in their lives were Martin Luther King Jr. and my father Brent Vickery. These men both faced adversity in different degrees and at different times and places within the United States, but what makes them similar is that their strength of character allowed them to face adversity boldly.
Adversities are often given a negative connotation and view, as most consider them to be hurdles which impede progress. Nevertheless when taken in and accepted under a positive light, adversities can serve as stepping stones through which an individual can better their character. In the face of looming obstacles individuals who persevere come out of the situation as stronger, determined, and more hopeful for the future.
Individuals often have a strong desire to pursue their aspirations and desires due to their ambitious, determined innate nature. However, through these numerous achievements they have successfully fulfilled, other people’s perception of the individual will vastly differ depending on their relationship with him/her. In the poem “Prodigal”, Bob Hicok suggests that when individuals have successfully accomplished their ambitions, others will perceive the individual’s changed identity in vastly different ways depending on their relationship with the individual. An individual’s ambitious nature will also significantly impact themselves due to their ever-changing perception of themselves, which will greatly affect their own perceptions and decisions
The effect of adversity on an individual is determinant, depending on the circumstances and environments that the person in question as experienced throughout their life. In some cases, adversity can instill motivation that would not have surfaced otherwise. For some, previously unexperienced trauma that occurs to them may instead cause despair and apathy.Horace’s claim is a broad one that excessively generalizes a complex topic. The examples present within Hamilton, Seabiscuit, and letters circulated between Alexander Hamilton and supports my position.
William Cullen Bryant is one of the most influential people of his time. He was born on November 3, 1794. He is most well-known for writing his poem “Thanatopsis”, which would roughly translate from Greek to “a meditation upon death” in English. This poem is by far his most popular poem. He spent majority of his life studying law, then died as the editor of the New York Evening Post. He was extremely politically fueled and also did not agree with the commonly accepted view of heaven and religion; this idea is shown in his poem. Overall, William Cullen Bryant is the most important American romantic poet of his time.
A person’s character is developed by the surroundings around them as well as their experiences. The Roman poet Horace quotes “…Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents in which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant…” I agree with the Roman poet, Horace, in that adversity has a way of waking talent from slumber. Adversity can encourage people in ways success and wealth cannot, as there is a benefit in the hardship. In Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, as well as Macbeth, by Shakespeare, adversity has developed the characters. From my observation, I strongly agree that experiences, such as hardship and danger, shape a person.
When an aspect of life is held to something better, the frailties can be seen, and a change for the better may result. Works Cited Davis, Herbert. A. A. Gulliver's Travels. Great Britain: Oxford University Press, 1998. (1965)
...y are bombarded from birth that they should desire and pursue money, power, fame, and success. Without achieving these goals they are seen as failures. Strain theories have shown that placing too much emphasis on individual success and the pursuit of happiness through the accumulation of power and wealth, can lead to an increase in crime.