There is no doubt that dealing with adversity and trying to be resilient is hard work.  It may feel at times that no matter what you do nothing changes, and that you simply want to give up and crawl back under the covers of your bed and wish it all went away.  Adversity has a way of breaking us down; mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.  It can be truly exhausting.

But the secrets for dealing with adversity from throughout the ages has been not to meet force with force.  Not to try to stand even stronger in the face of greater challenge, but to accept what is.  Instead of the trying to be the oak in the face of the hurricane, be the reed.  An oak, as strong as it is , will break under the constant force and barrage of the hurricane winds, but the reed will bend, flex and give way to the strongest wind.  The strength of the oak can also be it's downfall whereas the reed simply allows the wind to blow itself out.

The green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm.  Confucius

I can bend, bend, bend so far but I won't break.  Ria Mae

Only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.  Robert F. Kennedy