Universal Secrets of Turning Adversity Into Possibilities

Universal Secrets of Turning Adversity Into Possibilities

 by Stephen Hopson

The secret is this: Napoleon Hill once said "Every adversity carries within it the seed of equal or greater benefit."

If in the midst of great pain, discouragement or heartbreak you seek that seed and fertilize it, you will eventually overcome adversity and turn it into a university of possibilities.

Think about it. The universe is governed by laws. It is knowledge of these laws and using them to your advantage to achieve your dreams that will determine your life's path.

One of my favorite universal laws is the law of giving. This lends credence to the idea of asking others, "how may be of service to you?" When we give and expect nothing in return, the universal law of giving operates in a way that you get something in return. There is a constant exchange of energy between you and the universe. When you give, you get.

One word of caution. Universal laws are not meant to be manipulated. If you simply give to get, you cause the flow to stop. When you give with your heart and with no expectations, you will receive much more. What goes out must come back. Such is the dynamic energy that defines life.

Deepak Chopra said in his book "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" that in every seed is the promise of a thousand forests. But the seed must not be hoarded; it must give its intelligence to the fertile ground."

The same thing can be said of sharing our knowledge and talents with others so that they may benefit. Perhaps your knowledge and experience will help others shave some time off the learning curve.

Perhaps you have money to give away. Money is a form of energy. If you hoard it, it will not circulate for you. If you want to make more money, give away some of what you have now and watch your abundance grow!

The return is dependent on the amount you give from the heart without any strings attached. Give with joy. Give with faith. Give with confidence that you are not losing anything.

The universal law of giving also covers receiving. Be open to receiving as well as giving. It doesn't have to be anything materialistic. When someone pays you a compliment, thank that person from the bottom of your heart. If you're outside and the birds are singing, be thankful for the divine gift of hearing.

Be in a grateful frame of mind and open to receiving gifts. It may not come in the form you expect but they are gifts nevertheless. Accept them graciously.

When you give and receive graciously and with gratitude, you allow the universe to keep the circulation flowing.

Food for thought: Where ever you walk today, give someone a gift. It could be a prayer, flower, a compliment. You could send an email to someone you've been mentoring with a valuable tip. Provide others with value - find a way to enrichen their lives. It could be a statement of confidence in them. It could be a quote you read in a book that would help someone at that moment. When you receive a gift, accept it with gratitude. Keep the cycle flowing.

Profoundly deaf since birth, Stephen Hopson is a former award-winning stockbroker turned motivational speaker, author and pilot. He works with organizations that are ready to explore and overcome adversity because no one is immune from it - adversity does not discriminate