“In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
There once was a village under the sea called Everest. Everest was full of fish and was ruled by “King Blue.” One day the king was swimming through the village when he heard a fish screaming for help. He followed the cry to the edge of the village only to see an alarming sight. The king realized that a fish had swam too far below the village and couldn’t get back.
King Blue yelled to the fish to swim up. The fish yelled back that it was too dark to see, and he was too scared to move in fear that he would swim farther down instead of up. The king told the fish not to worry. He explained that the fish was in a place called “Challenger Deep” which is the deepest part of the ocean.
King Blue then told the fish that this was good news! The fish yelled back in a concerned voice wondering how this could be good news. The king told the fish that this means he cannot possibly swim any further down and all he needed to do was just start swimming.
Realizing he had nowhere else to go, the fish listened to the king and started to swim despite his fears. After a while, the fish yelled to the king that he was getting tired and still couldn’t see the light. King Blue yelled back to keep swimming, that he was almost there, and he couldn’t give up now.
Soon after the king said that the fish made it back to the village. King Blue gave the fish a hug and told him that this had happened to himself many years ago and if it hadn’t, he wouldn’t have been able to help the fish.
What can we take away from this story?
- Adversity, when looked at with the right perspective, is used to not only help you, but to also help others.
- When things get dark and scary and you feel like there is no hope, keep going. In these moments when there seems no way out, we are becoming stronger and more resilient. This is where our skills are developed and our “why” is tested.
When you are at your “Challenger Deep” and you feel like you have hit rock bottom, remember this story. Remember that this is good news, the only place to go, is up. Be like the fish and develop a belief in yourself that you will make it out. Keep swimming even when you can’t see. Then when you make it, be like King Blue and help someone else out of their “Challenger Deep.”
This story is taken from “Challenger Deep: Stories, Fables, and Lessons to Help You Rise Above Adversity” https://www.amazon.com/Challenger-Deep-Stories-Fables-Adversity/dp/B09MYVSLMR and was written by co-author, Lindsey Hall. You can find more out about Lindsey at: https://halllindsey23.wixsite.com/website Instagram: @Lindseynicholehall4 Twittter: @Linzhall11
Refuse2LoseCoaching is owned by Tami Matheny. She is a Mental Game Coach and Author. In addition to “Challenger Deep”, her books include: “This is Good” at: https://r2lc.com/this-is-good-a-journey-on-overcoming-confidence. “The Confident Athlete: 4 Easy Steps to Build and Maintain Confidence” https://r2lc.com/the-confident-athlete-4-easy-steps-to-build-and-maintain-confidence/ and “The Confidence Journal”. All books can be purchased online at Amazon. For group discounts or signed copies contact http://tami@r2l.mysites.io.
R2LC provides mental coaching for athletes and teams at all levels. For more information on mental training contact tami@r2l.mysites.io, follow us on twitter @tamimatheny and @r2lcoaching and visit our website: https://r2lc.com.
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