Comments on: Adversity Is Gilded With Hope

By: Daddy’s and Their Daughters | Small Hands, Big Ideas

Daddy’s and Their Daughters | Small Hands, Big Ideas — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:24:26 +0000

[...] he started four businesses and failed each time. I look at my dad’s life as one enormous, steep learning curve that he passed onto [...]

By: Grace Boyle

Grace Boyle — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:55:03 +0000

@Beth Thank you. I revisit this post to remind myself the amount of hope that can be found within struggles and adversity.

By: Beth Oppenheim

Beth Oppenheim — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:45:41 +0000

What great insights, Grace! I think the interesting thing about adversity is the way in which we don't even really know the extent of its effect on us until later. I love the idea also of transforming the energy from adversity to strength. Its important for having a positive outlook!

By: Grace Boyle

Grace Boyle — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:55:03 +0000

@Beth Thank you. I revisit this post to remind myself the amount of hope that can be found within struggles and adversity.

By: Beth Oppenheim

Beth Oppenheim — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:45:41 +0000

By: A Fatherly Guest Post: What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up? | Small Hands, Big Ideas

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:01:58 +0000

[...] motivates you to do and learn more and more. Passion keeps you going during the inevitable rough periods of your career and allows you to overcome and ultimately succeed. Not just in your work but in your [...]

By: One-Year Anniversary of Small Hands, Big Ideas and My Move to Boulder | Small Hands, Big Ideas

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:47:38 +0000

[...] In Something, Internships Are Necessary, Even if They’re Unpaid, Adversity is Gilded With Hope June [...]

By: Ryan Stephens Marketing » Top 10 Gen Y Blogs: August 2009

Ryan Stephens Marketing » Top 10 Gen Y Blogs: August 2009 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:26:29 +0000

[...] research, and linky love on Fridays. Not only does she keep us engaged and on our toes with gems like this one, but she’s tremendous at calling attention to members of her community (and not just on [...]

By: Grace Boyle

Grace Boyle — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:54:56 +0000

@Joan Thank you so much for stopping by. It's funny you mention locus of control. I did a science project (way back when) with a brain research institute on risk-taking behavior in adolescents and we focused on locus of control and prefrontal cortex development (http://istpp.org/enews/2002_06_20.html).

Blaming someone else for the adversity in your life is such a common issue. I love this example and the knowledge you have provided. Very interesting and thank you for sharing. I look forward to hearing from you again.

By: Joan

Joan — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:20:34 +0000

Excellent insight Gracie, this is my first time on your blog and I have truly enjoyed many of the comments.

One comment I would like to make that expands this idea is the concept of “internal” or “external” locus of control. This concept was developed by Julian Rotter in 1950's and refers to whether we believe the causes of events that happen in our life are controlled by ourself or “external” others.

An example: I write and exam and fail miserably – do I blame it on myself (I didn't study much and crammed the night before – internal) or do I blame my failure on the professor (he wrote an unfair exam – external).

I have seen numerous occasions when my peers have blamed something or someone else for adversity in their life and their opportunity for growth is very seriously affected by this “external” locus of control. I believe in order to achieve personal growth we have to be willing to take responsibilty for our actions. On the other hand, there are instances (Brett's larynx injury for example) where, although I do not know the circumstances, we might assume that shit happens and no one is responsible.