What I Learned From… Adversity
Howdy y’all!
Hey, guess what? It’s the first Monday of the month! You should all know what that means, right? (No, silly; not that!) No, it means it’s time for your favorite groupwrite project (and mine): What I Learned From…! (sound of crowd cheering enthusiastically)
Last Monday, as has been my custom (so folks who needed the extra time could have it), I announced this month’s topic: Adversity. And what a topic it is, don’cha think?
C’mon, show of hands: Who among us has ever experienced adversity? Uh-huh; just as I thought. Yup; it’s pretty much a universal subject, wouldn’t ya say?
Not only that, but it’s a genuine true fact that adversity can be quite the schoolmaster, if you get my meanin’. I mean, who of us (or is it “whom”? I can never get that straight), once adversity rears its ugly head, hasn’t learned a thing or two about… well, hasn’t learned anything?
I’m tellin’ ya; that ol’ sayin’, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” really is true, ain’t it?
So here’s your chance to share with us a story, a thought, an idea, or even an example of what adversity has taught you. Don’t be shy, y’all – I know you’ve got something up your sleeve.
And, A Free Prize!
Once again, thanks to the generosity of Internet Superstar and all-around fellow Bubba, Chris Garrett, I have yet another copy of his and Darren Rowse’s book, Problogger: Secrets to Blogging Your Way to a Six-figure Income to give away (sound of more cheering). So grab the writing instrument of your choice, folks, and get ready to rumble write!
How to Participate
What should I write, you ask? Hey, good question!
The fact is you can write pretty much anything you like, as long as it relates to the topic. A story, a soliloquy, a poem; hey, you get to choose! No limits or restrictions on length, either. (Trust me on this; we’ve already had a couple of one- and two-word entries, so you can be as brief – or as eloquent – as you like. In the other direction, you can also write more than one. For a previous WILF, one participant wrote FIVE! Over-achiever, no doubt.)
Entries will be accepted from now through Sunday, April 12, at midnight, CST (-6 GMT), so you have plenty of time!
Here’s all you have to do:
- Write one or more new post(s) on your blog. As I said, feel free to be as eloquent (or concise) as you like. C’mon; show off for us, why don’cha?
- Include a link to THIS POST (uh, the one you’re reading now).
- Send me an email (rhruzek@sbcglobal.net) containing your name, the title of your post, and the permalink of the post. (This is just to make sure I don’t miss it.)
That’s all there is to it! (See? I told you it was easy!) On Monday, April 13, I will post the entire list of entries right here at the Middle Zone, so be sure and drop by to check ‘em all out. (By the way, that list will also have a permanent spot in the WILF archive page.)
Oh, and the winner of the Problogger book will be announced on Tuesday, April 14. Just so ya know.
As always, groupwrite projects are open to anyone (you don’t even have to have a blog to enter – just send it to me and I’ll post it as a guest post). But again, please remember, we only have two simple rules around here:
- For the sake of the general blogging audience, please keep it G-Rated. (Also please note: this is a request, not a demand, since after all it’s your blog and you can do what you want. Fair warning, though: I reserve the right to link to you – or not.)
- Be nice.
All right, ladies and gentlemen; you know what to do! Grab the writing instrument of your choice and go for it!
[Further note from the Proprietor - I realize it takes time to write your entries (ordinarily, I announce our topics a week ahead of kickoff day), but would you mind too terribly not waiting until midnight on Sunday night to notify me? When everyone waits to the last minute (you know who you are!) it sometimes gets a little difficult to get them all compiled by Monday's 6 am post time. I surely thank you, and as a token of my appreciation - have yourself a cookie!]
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“Adversity” image created with the help of a clever little application called Spell with Flikr, by Erik Kastner
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32 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Good Morning Robert, this is a meaty topic. I posted my entry this morning. Adversity is like the house guest that drops in unexpectedly, stays longer than you think but when they’re gone you don’t miss them but realize they helped you grow in ways you would not have on your own. I look forward to reading all the great entries.
Karen Swims last blog post..Planted in Adversity, Harvested in Hope
Great topic. I’ve done a post on this topic before… but with the hectic week, don’t know if I can come up with a brainstorm.
Meryl K. Evanss last blog post..PC Game Review: Sky Kingdoms
Hi Robert…This was definitely a topic worth thinking and writing about. I’ve posted my entry and look forward to reading all the entries. Thanks for keeping us on our toes!
Terros last blog post..Shaped by Adversity?
[...] Robert Hruzek isn’t limiting the conversation to parenting, though. He asked me to share What I Learned From… Adversity. He even made this cool [...]
Great topic, Robert. If I can find time this week I’ll try to write and submit something. Even if I don’t, I’m looking forward to reading whatever is submitted.
Barry Wallaces last blog post..Sing “Hosanna” (or the ants will get to)
Well, this looks interesting, Robert. Linked here by Joanna Young via a re-Tweet. Expect a post from me by the end of the week for this. Subscribed as well: If nothing else, a monthly WILF will be a nice challenge.
Looking forward to having a perusal through the blog.
Matt
So, I did mine on parenting adversity. And winning a trip to heaven (just for the weekend
L.L. Barkats last blog post..Win a Free Weekend to Heaven for Your Family
[...] This is the first group write project I’m taking part in. The “What I Learned From…” groupwrite is a monthly project by Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings and the Adversity theme is outlined here. [...]
[...] This post is an entry in the What I Learned from Adversity group writing project. [...]
[...] month’s “What I Learned From…” is about adversity. Immediately when I heard this topic, I knew I had to talk about what happened to me a year and a [...]
Oh for a life without strife! Except only part of me really wants that. The other part suspects it would be kinda dull. I wouldn’t learn as much, and I think I’d be less grateful for the good stuff – taking things for granted.
This is a great topic, will try and post on it during the week.
Thanks Robert!
Hildas last blog post..The A-Z of Happiness: A is for . . .
[...] Thanks, and a tip o’ the hat to ya![Note from the Proprietor: This is an entry for this month's What I Learned From... groupwrite project. We'd love to have you join us! See the bottom of this post for details - after, [...]
[...] Will you consider sharing your stories about overcoming adversity either in a comment or as part of Robert Hruzek’s fantastic group project, What I Learned From Adversity? [...]
Hey there! I found your blog through The Ignorant Historian. The topic intrigues me. After all, who hasn’t faced adversity? Lessons learned through adversity are a bit like lessons learned through mistakes – sometimes the ‘aha moments’ are worth all the ‘oh no moments’.
Iva @ Horizontal Yo-Yos last blog post..Spring Break!
[...] post is an entry in the What I learned from Adversity Group Writing Project hosted by Robert Hruzek, Middle Zone [...]
[...] This is my contribution to my buddy Robert Hruzek’s group writing project on adversity. [...]
Hi Robert,
I’ve posted mine here:
http://shirleymclaine.typepad.com/livingoutloud/2009/04/the-purpose-of-pain.html
And I even put a really big ‘but’ in there, specially for you
all the best,
Hilda
Hildas last blog post..Lessons learned from Adversity
[...] as my contribution to Robert Hruzek’s group writing project, “What I Learned from Adversity,” I would like to relate an experience whereby I was almost mugged on the way to [...]
Robert, it’s on my blog: http://tiny.cc/QiNvU
Peace,
Geoffrey
geoffrey philps last blog post..What I Learned From Adversity
[...] is a contribution to the “What you learn from Adversity” Group Writing Project over at [...]
[...] from the Proprietor: This is an entry for this month’s What I Learned From… groupwrite project. We’d love to have you join us! See the bottom of this post for details – after, [...]
[...] or exceptional at one thing and weak everywhere else? This is one of my submissions to the April WILF adversity groupwrite Project. To find what that means and join in on the fun head over to Robert Hruzek’s Middle Zone [...]
[...] Hruzek’s latest group writing project, What I learned From Adversity is open until Sunday at midnight. Group Writing Projects are an excellent way to stretch your [...]
[...] Link to the announcement post on Middle Zone Musings. [...]
Robert -
How appropriate to receive this on Good Friday! I was thinking about a post for the day – and here you are with an assignment!
http://www.debworks.com
Now — off to read what everyone else wrote!
@debworks
[...] in my childhood was that adversity is actually good for you. This is one of my submissions to the April WILF adversity groupwrite Project. To find what that means and join in on the fun head over to Robert Hruzek’s Middle Zone [...]
[...] learned (or are currently learning) from adversity? This is my third and final? submission to the April WILF adversity groupwrite Project. To find what that means and join in on the fun head over to Robert Hruzek’s Middle Zone [...]
[...] is my entry in Robert Hruzak’s “What I Learned From … Adversity” writing exercise. If you want to participate, better hurry on over to Middle Zone Musings, Robert’s most [...]
[...] is my entry for Robert Hruzek’s Group Writing project for April on the theme “What I learned from [...]
[...] sized Yee-Haw) for everyone who chose to join us for this month’s group writing project: What I Learned From Adversity! Thanks again for sharing your stories (and more importantly, your lessons learned) with the rest [...]
I found your site from a search on adversity, great post you have here. Even though your competition is over, I thought I would still post a comment.
I think everyone has experience Adversity at some time or another, and as the saying goes, “Adversity is a fact of life. It can’t be controlled. What we can control is how we react to it.”
Here are 2 great quotes on adversity I have printed out so I can see them often,
“In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends”
-John Churton Collins
“Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records”
-William A. Ward
Regards,
Lee
@Lee – Hey, I appreciate the archive dive, Lee! Those are some great quotes – thanks for sharing them.