This morning I heard some challenging news for my son.  The last several indoor soccer seasons, his team has gone undefeated.  You get used to winning and the confidence that brings.  But it also often causes you to relax.  He can relax no longer.  This winter indoor season, they have lost their first two games 6-2 and 3-2, against better teams.  Now I hear that their next match is against an older select team that beat those first two teams a combined 19-2.  They have their work cut out for them.  They are playing against older, stronger, faster and more skilled opponents.  It is in these moments of adversity that your character is tested.  Do you push yourself to improve, striving to be better, or do you accept your fate and complain of your misfortune. 

The very same dynamics shadow any poker player, as well.  Some days you can't win, no matter what you do.  You will have to face losing on a regular basis.  Your ego and sanity are constantly tested as you deal with variance and your own inadequacies.  The question is how do you respond to that adversity.

While my son only just turned 11 and this wouldn't be considered serious adversity, no one goes through life without facing significant adversity.  My hope for him is that he faces his challenges head on with no complaints.  Managing yourself in the face of adversity defines you.  Every challenge is an opportunity.  I thought I would share some related inspirational and thought provoking quotes on the subject....

Adversity is like a strong wind.  It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.  ~Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.  ~William Shakespeare, Othello

We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way.  ~Author Unknown

Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.  ~Truman Capote

In this world there are only two tragedies.  One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.  ~Oscar Wilde, Lady Windemere's Fan, 1896

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.  ~Mary Engelbreit