ADVERSITY

by David Nuttle

Prolonged and extreme adversity may cause PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and should be minimized or avoided by all means possible. On the other hand, adversity that is

moderate and/or manageable can provide the following benefits:

a) Increases mental fortitude and improves empathy for others in similar crisis.

b) Develops resilience and psychological stability.

c) Provides appreciation of your existence and survival ability.

d) Acts as a defense inoculation and strengthens nervous systems.

e) Creates higher life appreciation and satisfaction.

f) Allows post-traumatic growth to increase personal strength.

g) Fosters improvement of cognitive skills and reinvention of self.

h) Improves relationships and leadership abilities.

I) Often promotes a more spiritual life and goal evaluation.

Perhaps the lesson from adversity results is that persons with protected lives, free of most all risks, will be deprived of most benefits from experiencing adversity. In the case of our youth, children with "helicopter moms" constantly protecting them may not be doing a favor for their children. I had what I now perceive as a youth with adversity exposure. My home was in "tornado alley' having regular tornadoes and we lived in a river valley with a major flood every 3 or 4 years. Life on our farm had typical hazards from wildlife and farm animals having a bad day. After college graduation I went to South Vietnam to help create a model for POTUS JFK's Pease Corps. There were many hazards from the jungle and all of its hazards, and the volunteers on our project were hunted and a few killed by communist Viet Cong seeking to gain political control. After that, I remained in South Vietnam to help in creating and directing a model Village Defense Project to protect the population from armed attacks by communist forces. I learned and gained from all the resulting adversity that came my way. In retrospect, I gained by not having a peaceful life.

Life gives you experiences, good and bad, with opportunities to learn and grow from each of these experiences.