Adversity

In the Daily Telegraph today Sarah Knapson writes as above. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines adversity also as follows

a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.

Such adversity and hardships face all of us at some point in our lives, some more permanent than others. Remaining calm and carrying on is easier said than done some might say but what is the alternative? If the very doing extends our life term then I wonder why ?

The answer I believe I may have found this morning on Bristol Downs as I watched this man marking out the 26 football pitches that occupy its space. His name is Lee and I stopped to talk with him. Lee loves his job he told me and takes great pride in his white linings. As we spoke what Lee never told me was that he was reading my lips in our discussion. Lee was deaf not dumb , speaking slightly awry as he chewed his gum ( that helped him focus ). Lee was born deaf and at 6 foot 3 inches told me he had played goalkeeper for England Deaf Soccer Team.

His monthly wage working for the Council was consumed by the rent he paid to his Landlord in rent that left him with £300 a month to live on. Though his rent had recently risen he remained of good cheer. His hearing a permanent adversity and his living on the edge of existence something else to carry.

Lee told me he could not carry a family and saw himself remaining single not wanting to bring children into this world as we find it. He loves his job and is content with his lot a sure way to match the findings of a longer life.

Many dread their lives in the daily drudgery of their work often retiring , getting the clock and dying shortly thereafter. In Britain post Covid the life expectancy of man and woman has fallen 18 months , for some it was too great an impact.

Life will never be easy and a life lived to the full will bring its own troubles, challenges and hurdles. In that there will be adversity but in the adversity is long life. Imagine a life with no ups and downs , a flatline existence, sure in time to cut one down. Whatever you face get out there and like Lee get on and enjoy all that you have. The glass is half full.