"何か悪いことが起こったときに、あなたには三つの選択肢があります。それを自分の特徴にさせるか、それに自分を破壊させるか、それを自分の強さにするか。"

Life throws us curveballs. When something tough comes your way, you basically have three options: let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you. This idea is all about resilience and how we handle adversity.

Imagine you’re facing a huge challenge—maybe you’ve just lost your job. That's a big blow, right? Now, you have a choice on how to respond. You can let this job loss define you. Maybe you start thinking you're a failure, and that label sticks. Or, you can let it destroy you; perhaps you fall into despair, give up on searching for new opportunities and sink into a dark place. But there’s a third option: you can let it strengthen you. Maybe you use this as a chance to learn new skills, find a better-suited job, or even start your own business.

This concept isn't new. Take Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. He endured unimaginable suffering in concentration camps. But instead of letting that horror define or destroy him, he used his experience to develop his psychological theory—logotherapy. He found meaning through his suffering and helped countless others find purpose in their lives.

Let's take something more everyday. Think about a student who fails an important exam. It feels like the end of the world, right? They could let that failure define them, thinking they’re just not cut out for school. Or, they could let it destroy them, causing them to drop out entirely. But if they let it strengthen them, they’d seek out extra help, study harder, and maybe even discover more effective ways to learn.

So, how do you apply this in your life? First, acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel upset or angry when something bad happens. You’re human. But then, shift your mindset. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from this? How can I bounce back stronger?" Sometimes writing down your thoughts can help. Make a list of possible positive outcomes or lessons learned.

Now, picture this: You’ve just broken up with someone you thought was 'the one'. Your heart feels like it’s been through a shredder. Tempting as it is to wallow in misery, think about those three choices. You could let this heartbreak define you, convincing yourself you’re unlovable. Or, let it destroy you, causing you to swear off love entirely and isolate yourself. But if you let it strengthen you, you might take time for self-care, understand what you truly need in a relationship, and become more resilient.

Ultimately, the wisdom here is pretty clear and very practical. Life’s hardships don’t have to break you. They can build you into someone stronger, more knowledgeable, and more resilient. Next time you’re hit with something tough, remember, you’ve got three choices. Pick the one that makes you stronger.