During the course of one’s lifetime, no one escapes adversity. We face all degrees of difficulties. And though we must have resilience when faced with adversity, at times, we can’t see the forest for the trees and get bogged down in the situation. Darling, resilient behavior is paramount to all of us overcoming adversity at every age and especially after 50. I have learned this over time because I am a woman who is not young. I am not old, I am timeless.

Throughout life, I have been motivated by a positive force of hope and resilience, from the time I was six years old and at every stage of my life since! Lucky me because if I did not process this force, and I don’t know where it came from, I would not have survived my trials. Yes, sweet reader there was a time during the past year that I did not care if I survived my ordeals. But, survive I have, and I am here to tell  my story.

I don’t make light of the word adversity. I have confronted plenty of it; widowhood, serious illness, financial problems, moving thousands of miles from home, blending two families and great hurt. And of course there are the little doses of adversity that creep into my daily life. I know you know what I mean, sweet reader.

Darling, I bloomed from every bout of adversity because . . .  I did not dwell on what happened to me, I focused on my response. And, I make no bones about it. It is hard at times.

With a plan, action, resilience, and the promise of hope, one’s mind can foster optimism, leading one to the finish line. You must see the glass as half full. Yes, it is easier said than done. You must form a plan.

“Adversity is more about our power to overcome, than the circumstance.” — Honey Good

My Advice on How to Deal with Adversity

As an example, if my family faced an unexpected illness and I was faced with this type of adversity, I would be a resourceful force in searching for the best of the best medical care on one hand and an upbeat force in the daily life of my family member always giving them hope and a will to fight.

For my wellbeing I would keep a private journal. In it, I would chronicle my feelings—the story of the journey from the depths of darkness and despair into the light. This would enable me to release my feelings, find means to cope and have hope and, possibly, in the future share my story with other people facing the same adversity.

I know journaling works. Ten years ago I was bored with my busy life and I felt I was floundering. I needed and wanted to find a new purpose; a passion. A writer friend of mine suggested that I keep a journal. She told me to write every day for three months and that I would find my voice. Dear reader, she was right! Finding my authentic voice morphed into Honey Good, a passion I hold near and dear in my heart.

What I realized as I wrote, was that I wasn’t just filling pages; I was excavating the depths of my own being. I unearthed Susan Honey Good, the woman with many layers of strengths and, naturally, weaknesses. I actually became my own shrink! Authentic journaling is the best way to get to know yourself, ask yourself questions, and live into your answers. And, ultimately live a better life. Journaling is how I learned that the power to overcome any roadblock in life, was already inside of me.

Surrender to Bloom

My new “Surrender to Bloom” journal is the perfect complement to your journaling journey. Every time you open it you will be reminded to stop resisting what you know you cannot win and surrender. Surrendering is not a weakness. It is full on empowerment! It is strength because you will be giving yourself the opportunity to move on, replacing your negative situation with something new and positive with passion that will bring joy. This is how you bloom.

As you know, over the past year plus, I have had adversity thrown at me where it hurts the most. My darling ultimate concierge’s health and the lack of family love. My ultimate concierge’s illness has taken a toll, and the estrangement from many in my family grieves me. Sweet reader, grief is part of my daily life. It is hard to find the tools to face adversity when your daily life is filled with grief.

I Found My Passion

Over the past year plus, there were nighttime thoughts before I closed my eyes to go to sleep that scared me. I did not care if I woke up because I was physically and emotionally exhausted. But awake I did, and finally through journaling I lived into a new answer! I would bring back into my life a passion that began when I was six years old at my father’s and grandfather’s knee. I wanted to join a non-profit that fights antisemitism and Israel’s right to exist.

I am proud to announce that I have been invited to sit on the National Board of ZOA. I found my passion—I took the journey. It has been almost one year. I have arrived and will thrive.

Though my problems with daily adversity will not go away, I have stopped the bleed of despair. And, for those of you sweet readers, who are facing adversity I beg you to become familiar with your thoughts through journaling and live into your answer. What makes you feel passionate? Write your thoughts down and ultimately you will surrender to bloom.

I want you to remember that adversity is more about our power to overcome, than the circumstance. 

I sit here in awe of my own ability to overcome grief and despair; to make sweet lemonade out of lemons; to see my glass half full. And I ask myself how I always hear the knock of opportunity on the door when I am in the depths of despair. This may sound crazy but I have come to the conclusion that it is because I think about it as my story.

The story begins with adversity and ends with one’s ability to move the journey positively forward. I  have this ability because I face adversity, never lose hope for long, and I  listen to my heart. I understand the saying—Surrender to Bloom. It is empowering because you are eliminating adversity and replacing it with the power to bloom.

How to Have a Rose-Colored Glasses Attitude

How I Write My Own Story When Faced with Adversity After 50

• I collect my thoughts (here’s where journaling shines). 
• I know if I wallow in despair nothing will change.
• When I was ill I focused on seeing life through rose-colored glasses. The sun became sunnier, the stars brighter, my life more meaningful and my gratitude deeper.
• I decide on a path: This becomes my story.
• When I blended two families I looked outside my emotions and focused on the emotions of the young adult children who lost a mother on my husband’s side and a father on my side.
• When I moved across an ocean, I focused on looking forward not backward.
• I spark my creativity and motivate myself out of despair and into a hopeful future with a  passion.

This is the key darlings: I encourage myself to grow from adversity by letting go of what I cannot change, and replacing it with what gives me passion. . . Surrender to Bloom.

As you continue to age over 50, 60, 70 and beyond meet adversity with positivity. Take your story and build it to new heights with a fierce passion. Amen. Amen.

What are your strategies when faced with adversity? Please share with me in the comments.