Grace under pressure

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

 

Dr Martin Lunther King Jr. once said in a speech: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” So true. What we are as human beings presents itself more fully in times of adversity than at times of ease. Any one can be positive, polite and kind when things are going well. What distinguishes people with an extraordinary character from the rest of us is how they respond when life sends one of its inevitable curves. They don’t crumble or surrender. They reach deeply into themselves and present even more of their highest nature to the world.

 

Just a couple of hours ago, I was on the runway, ready to fly from London. The flight had been delayed by a few hours so it felt good to be so close to takeoff. I had my MP3 in place, a new book to read and my journal. Then, the Pilot’s voice came over the public address system: “ the ground crew found a technical problem and we regret to inform that we must cancel this flight”. The reactions that statement provoked were fascinating.

 

One man close to me became belligerent to a flight attendant. A couple in another row grumbled loudly. A business man in a dark suit liked the seat in front of him. Yet some passengers responded differently, with a quiet humanity. An elderly gentleman smiled as he helped others take their bags down from the overhead compartments. A teenager, rather than trying to rush off the plane like most of the other passengers, stopped to help a woman with a disability. The lady sitting next to me laughed and said, “hey, it’s not the end of the world,” before calling her kids and sharing her adventure. The wisent among us have a remarkable ability to maintain grounded when times get tough.

 

No life is perfect; mine certainly isn’t. We all must face challenges, both large and small. This very minute, there are human beings dealing with illness in a hospital bed. Sickness, loss disappointment. No one gets through life without experiencing this stuff. But you & I have the power to choose to rise above our external circumstances. We always have a choice to be strong and positive when things fall apart. We have the right to use our stumbling blocks as stepping stones to our greatest life.

 

Grace under pressure. That’s what separates leaders from followers. It’s that beautiful quality that inspires others and reflects a well-developed spirit.

 

“What distinguish people with an extraordinary character from the rest of us is how they respond when life sends one of its inevitable curves”