Adapt and Overcome

At work today, our campus president called an impromptu meeting. Unfortunately, he invaded my classroom just before the start of class. My students freaked out (slightly) while I went to find an empty classroom. As I ushered them into our temporary classroom, I found myself saying “No big deal. Adapt and Overcome.”

Then I went to the bathroom. And in my moment of quiet, it occurred to me that this may be the most important lesson I learned in the military. It may be the most important lesson I can teach my son and my students. Adapt and overcome.

Although I openly share my fears, my lows and my moments of desperation, I am never hopeless. I believe that all problems, no matter how daunting, have solutions. I believe that hard work and perseverance are always necessary to find the solution. I believe failure is an opportunity to learn and improve. I believe that we must survive before we can thrive.

Life can explode on us without warning. It can turn our whole world upside down. But the human will to survive is astounding. Our capacity to delivery empathy in the midst of our troubles is humbling. Never become fixated on a problem without realizing that a solution exists.

This blog is not where I write to vent or bitch or process. This is where I write in an effort to give others hope. Something from this horrible, convoluted journey has to help someone at some point. And if it’s not you right now, that’s cool. Check back in during your next tragedy or after my next success – maybe something I have written will help you adapt and overcome.

(editor’s note: if solutions are hard to come by, I recommend acupuncture and copious amounts of ice cream)