The human spirit, why are some more driven than others?

Question

There are people in this world whose courage, character and strength are so profound, that it's an example of how the human spirit can overcome seemingly impossible challenges, whether it be physically and/or emotional.

Have you ever known anyone personally or otherwise to have possessed such a quality in the face of overwhelming adversity? If so, why?

Why do you think only a few seem to rise to such challenges, whereas others seem to fail or simply give up?

Answer 1

I see people everyday with courage and strength of character that overcome seemingly impossible challenges whether physical or emotional. I see it in the news, on the street, in my neighborhood, at my work, within my family and amoung my friends and accquantiences. Yes, I know many.
The next part of your question is confusing to me. I think what you are asking is what adversity did I see in someone personally and how is it that they showed courage and strength? My brother would be a good example: he was born with a defective portal vein between his heart and liver. Noone knew it at the time. He started to vomit blood.around 6 yrs. old. I was a couple years younger. I would hold him and tell him he would be ok as I watched him vomit into a plastic bucket. After several years of trial and error surgeries and lots of mistakes they figured out where the blood was coming from. My parents tried the best they could, everybody grew older. My brother is still alive. He is a bright, helpful, caring, and loving man. He can't play ball or run a marathon but he has so much to give to life, I love him. He faces physical pain everyday. He has no spleen, a piece of his intestine was surgically placed in his throat, the main vein that runs down both of his legs was severed accidentially during one of his three surgeries, yet he still goes forward, smiling, happy and always giving to other.
Well, that's just one example. The last part of your question: about why only a few seem to rise. I don't know that I agree. I don't have statistics but to get along on any level in this life we all face challenges everyday. Adversity is everywhere. People succeeding and failing brings on a whole new topic. It can be as simple as answering your complex question, and whether I want to go back and check my grammar and or spelling.
I do have my own beliefs about what helps us a humans to be the best that we can. I believe that much of it is environmental and some of it is due to our genes. But most of it is related to the environment in which you were nurtured and continue to be nurtured and alowed to become who you are. Thanks for the question. Ciao

Answer 2

Honestly, truly, to the first paragraph: Get to your
nearest competent library or better yet, bookstore
and grab a copy of Andrew Solomon's 1999
release, "The Noonday Demon".

Just HOW he could write that thing in the 5 years
he claims it took him despite his living through
that which he tells of, I'll always be mystified.

I've known people who've lived some sobering,
sombering stories, and know what it is to be
in a bit of a thing or two myself. To detail here
would require hours of intense editing to pare
down to eight dozen paragraphs, so, 'nuff said.

As to why so few actually take on the challenges,
I believe it's a complex ratio of energy involved
within endless variables weaving amid their
respective equations. Faith, purpose, luck,
opportunity, others, blessings, knowledge,
location, how does one begin to construct
"what to leave in, what to leave out"?

Great weekend...

Answer 3

Before my friend Mike(MarMar) died he was always the hopeless optimist, he had alot of bad stuff going on but he was still always honestly happy and had a strong character. He was always willing to take a challenge and didnt complain about it. Thats not how he was raised so i guess some people are just like that.

Answer 4

Some people have it within them. My friend who was paralyzed by a drunk driver did not change personality wise with her positive outlook on life. I asked her one day why she was not bitter? She turned to me and said "those people were bitter before the becoming paralyzed"
I think in Chinese thought, they call the life force "Jing". This is what we are born with. It is a set amount and we use it up as life goes on. Of course stress can burn it up, and rejuvenating our soul and body can lesson the amount of jing we burn up. Interesting way of looking at it.

Answer 5

Better integrity of epistemology; a better hierarchy of metaphysical values; both of which provide better self-esteem.