Kevin W. McCarthy

Adversity as a Teacher

Adversity is one of life's great teachers dressed in disguise.

"What good can come out of this?" you ask, while pondering your present problem. You're thinking, "It's horrific, terrible, the worst thing that has ever happened." A heavy dullness leads to the clincher questions: "Why me?", "What did I do to deserve this?", "What hope is left?"

Hope! How are hurts transformed into hope? How is crisis turned into contribution? The fifth chapter of the book of Romans (NIV) encourages us to "...rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Adversity is one of life's great teachers dressed in disguise and leading us to character, hope, and love. Yes, greatness can emerge from adversity.

Thomas Alva Edison by Frank Attwood

Frank Attwood is an On-Purpose Person in creation.  It hasn't always been easy for Frank, but he's in his element professionally and personally.  He performs a variety of amazing one man shows based on the remarkable life of Thomas Edison, my boyhood hero.

I remember the day Frank called me to brainstorm some life and business decisions he was facing. 

Photo:  Here is Frank Attwood in his portrayal of Thomas Edison.  You just have to catch his show sometime.

USA: The Off-Purpose Country

Like many of my fellow US Citizens, I am very frustrated with the state of our "union."  Never before can I remember a President and a Congress having (and deserving) such low confidence ratings. 

Allow me to dip into the political realm for a moment not as a pundit, but as a strategist with an eye for personal and organizational development. 

The US is unraveling from within.  Political party polarization has made sport of our government.  Red and Blue are more like team colors with fan bases than a thoughtful citizenry with a sacred duty and honor to vigorously debate the issues and cast our votes.  The shrillness and empty talk on both sides have taken on an ugliness and unintelligible tone catering more to cheering crowds instead of elevating the electorate to be engaged in making a difference for the cause of freedom with responsibility.   We've entered a season of win-lose politics where power takes precedence over purpose.

We're off-purpose.  Let me tell you why.   

President Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Washington DC, USA • Friday, January 20, 1961 Read the last three paragraphs of President Kennedy's Inaugural Address presented below.  It will inspire and amaze you in light of today's social and political climate. The entire text of it can be read by expanding this posting.  Also see my posting entitled: USA: The Off-Purpose Country.  -------------------------- "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. "My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.   "Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."