Monday, July 31, 2006

Overcoming Adversity

I've always wondered, what is it about overcoming adversity that catches our eye? Why is Lance Armstrong going to go down in history as one of the greatest cyclists of all time? Why will Sania Mirza be remembered as one of the greatest icons for women in India? What makes A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the president of India, such a great man?

One of them has battled cancer to come back to become the Tour de France champion a record seven times in a row. The next has beaten the crippling, self-serving Indian sports administration, societal barriers and supposedly "religious" beliefs to become India's greatest women's tennis player (though she does have a long way to go to become a champion, but it's possible.) As for President Kalam, from a small town kid, he went on to become one of India's great scientists and most effective Presidents.

I love watching movies where ordinary men and women stand up, stare adversity in the eye and get the better of it. What joy to watch the underdog beat all odds to overcome the favourite. It's amazing isn't it?

To me, it's a message that we actually have it in us to do what we think we can't. Maybe that's why I relish being challenged. I love some situation coming up to me, knocking the wits out of me, standing back up and saying 'Is that all you got?'

It's that tenacious, never-say-die attitude that inspires me. Coz if it don't kill you, it only makes you stronger.

8 comments:

Queenmatrai said...

You're absolutely right, what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger...

Good attitude

Noojes

akshay said...

Rocky Balboa!!! Ever seen the Rocky series? A lot in common with your feelings, with the added fun of Stallone slurring away.

ramblingmuse said...

Those stories are always amazing (Lance, Sania, Kalam), but sometimes I think the most wonderful stories aren't always the ones that make the headlines. Everyone's got a story to tell about overcoming their own adversities. I guess that's why I love reading blogs so much. Everyone's just processing, reflecting, story-telling. There's so much depth out there, in every person we come across!

Cheers!

Ajeya said...

noojes... i definitely think so.

akshay... whoaaa. Rocky. Remember Rocky IV where the russian guy pounds him? (Is that rocky IV though? I forget)

RM... I completely agree with you. Everyone's got a story :-D It's not just the ones we see in the news.

akshay said...

Ivan Drago, yeah that's IV...I'm waiting for VI with mixed feelings...wanna see it, but dont wanna see Stallone topless at 60!

Ajeya said...

haha... yeah, Stallone at 60 in Rocky VI, could be a let down.

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