Perseverance of the Human Spirit
When evaluated through an objective, biological lense, human beings are noticeably unimpressive. Yes, as a species we have made large evolutionary strides over time, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are countless imperfections throughout the human body. Luckily for us, I believe the core feature that makes humans so exceptional and has contributed largely to our longevity as a group is a philosophical element that has nothing to do with our physical makeup – more specifically, the triumph and perseverance of the human spirit.
50 years ago a human set foot on the moon for the very first time using computers that have less processing power than the one I’m using to write this blog. It’s true that the computers they used were crash proof unlike most commercial technology, but the fact remains that in a time where space exploration should have been accepted as impossible, a group of human beings decided to ignore the limits that physics had previously and give it a try anyway – and as we all know, they had incredible success and opened the door to further exploration.
Unfortunately, not every inspirational achievement comes from an exciting endeavor. On the opposite end of the “perseverance spectrum” is the instinctive tendency for humans to survive horrendous, often life-threatening circumstances. Immediately coming to mind are Holocaust survivors, oppressed populations forced into slavery, prisoners of war, etc. There seems to be no limit to the amount of cruelty humans are willing to inflict upon one another; however, it is amid those cruelties that the very best of humanity shines through, leaving heartrending, poignant stories that will continue to inspire generations to come.
In addition to the famous stories of people overcoming unbelievable situations, there are inspiring stories that walk by us every day. I am constantly surrounded by people whose courage and enthusiasm for life provide more than enough motivation for me to keep working towards my goals. After working in a group home setting for nearly a year, I have encountered people who were frankly dealt an awful hand. People that suffer from a varying degree of disability fight intense battles every single day just to try and lead a normal life, and to be honest it just isn’t fair what they have to go through – and yet, they are often the happiest, most optimistic people one could ever have the pleasure of meeting.
Every day I’m met with a smile, a hug, a kiss (clearly I’m still working on establishing boundaries) – and overall, the excitement they carry through life is both tangible and galvanizing. Disability, along with injury and illness, has every right to be the defining factor of each person who has to deal with them, but if there are people in your life who endure those struggles, then you likely know firsthand how strong and courageous they are to try and live every day to its fullest capacity.
What humans lack in physical fortitude has been more than made up for time and time again through the determination and achievement of the human spirit. Repeatedly, it is right at the moment in time when all appears to be lost and hope is all but gone that humans are able to gather their wits and endure seemingly anything that life can muster together.
If you are ever in a strenuous situation and feel ready to give up, take a moment to reflect on the abundance of real-life heroes in the world – both those whose stories of success grip our hearts and captivate the media, and those who inspire us throughout our daily lives – and take solace in the fact that the past experiences of human nature have proven that you already have what it takes to be that hero. With the right mindset, you can overcome any and all obstacles that come your way.
