Prevail Over Adversities

Dixya Poudel

There is a beauty to life evident through the ability to prevail over adversities. In the bleakest of moment there is hope. And how purposeless life would be without a chance for a better future? But while all of us struggle in different ways whether it is in education, career, health or relationships, only a few are likely to truly thrive. 

If we study history, we’ll find that the world witnessed advanced science and technology because people asked interesting questions and then looked for answers. It is the reason we have smartphones on our hands that are vast improvements from landlines. It is why the West is more successful with its pioneering and inquisitive scientists, engineers and innovators. Inquisitiveness is thus a trait that is important not just for a prosperous life but also for the future of humanity.

Thus, we stress on the importance of learning and we encourage young children to ask questions and consequently try our best to answer them. Yet, not all children have an access to education which is their given right. Young children brought up in an educated and prosperous family have a different childhood as compared to those born in an economically struggling and illiterate family. Many parents who struggle financially are unable to provide for their children. 

They could also be uneducated and despite their love towards their children, they may not be able to foster their children’s minds with knowledge and wisdom. Additionally, inspirations for future differ according to nationality, gender, age, class, etc. While in the developed nations, it might be glamorous to be in the fields of media and entertainment, in countries like Nepal, it is medical and engineering studies that garner more respect. 

Likewise, women aspire to marriage more in comparison to men. Age too hampers one’s ambitions as a constant battle with time. Similarly, a housewife may live for her family, often sacrificing her own ambitions. Thus, there are various factors at play when it comes to a person’s future and achievements. 

We may envy our successful friends and not realise the amount of hard work, sacrifice and determination that are requisite to earn accolades, accomplishments and wins. Superficial judgement disregards the inner motivation, a willingness to go the extra mile and the grit that success entails. Instead it points out finger at the personal setbacks and lack of opportunities as the reasons for one’s failure.

There are popular maxims such as ‘dream and you manifest’, “sky’s the limit’ or the cliché ‘you can be anything you want to be.” However, these maxims are often quite misleading. In reality, one may have to make concessions according to life’s situations, obstacles and circumstances. And, we shouldn’t rule out the aforementioned factors which could be beyond our control. 

The tragic woe about the world is that it isn’t equally rewarding to all, despite the hours one logs on and the exertion one puts on. Therefore it might be practical to be rational and realistic about one’s dreams. There is a well-known saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” Despite being dealt a difficult hand at life, one can still strive for a purposeful, beautiful and meaningful life. It is an exceptional bequest, this life, which is why it is essential to make the best of it.