In the introduction of More Than Money, author Neil Cavuto notes that greatness is defined not by how we handle all that goes well for us, but how we deal with all that does not. He continues, as he writes about people who have overcome great difficulties in their lives, that what’s vital isn’t the riches they have, but the inner riches they gained along the way. It’s about the clock inside all of us that says life is short . . . let’s go long.
I love that mindset, and attempt to cling to it with all of my strength when the opposing team is thundering down the field towards me, with their shared purpose of ripping that purposeful, looking-for-the-good thinking away from me while grinding my face into the playing field for good measure.
We all experience rough times, some more threatening and disabling than others, and Neil Cavuto is no exception.
After being cancer free for almost a decade, he faced a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
What did he have to say about that?
My illnesses helped humble a jerk, a guy who was more focused on becoming something big than on doing something big, and more inclined to measure the greatness of a business titan by what he had in the bank than by what he had in his heart.
I know I’m different now from the way I was when I was healthy and well. I’ve gained more than I’ve lost. I think I’m a better person, more appreciative, compassionate, and properly focused.
He finishes the introduction with this jewel:
The lucky ones are the people who make their suffering and losses the sources of new, powerful, enduring motivation.
That is a pretty powerful statement, and an invitation to view life’s difficulties through a more positive prism, one that highlights what can be gained from the loss.
Have you been changed by hardships and difficulties in your life? Has it changed how you view money, parenting, or your career?
Hi Kim,
What a great post. I am a big Neil Cavuto fan.
In my experience, when people make the connection and realization that from out of their greatest struggles can arise their greatest opportunity for growth, an amazing thing often happens; they harness it.
I can think of the man in Ohio who, after struggles with high blood pressure, his weight, and back problems, has made it to the other side of his struggle and is now using his experience to bring others healing.
Or the woman in Texas, who, after years of trying to overcome battles with low self-esteem and worth, has started her own ministry dedicated to lift up women who are in a similar fight.
Every once in a while, someone will ask me why I work primarily with single and married women.
That answer comes from a challenging time in my childhood and early teen years. If you’re interested, here’s the scoop.
http://www.4pointscoaching.com/findingpurpose
‘s ‘
Thanks for stopping by Joel. Yes, recognizing our struggles as opportunity to grow into who we really are is truly amazing and empowering. Thanks for sharing your story. Sometimes it is very difficult to do so, but oftentimes it is a path towards healing for ourselves, and opening the door so that others know they are not alone, and that, they, too, can begin to heal.
This reminds me of a beautiful quote that “when life gives you a lemon, make lemonade” Neil seems to be a living testimony of that!