Our world has never been tranquil, even as it might appear to some people today. 

For most, life dealt harsh lessons that required them to be tough. Willa Cather was an American author who covered life on the Great Plains. She encountered many battle-tested people who gained wisdom through dealing with hardships. She reflects on her outlook on the subject with this quote.

Even today, most people will face enormous obstacles in their lives. They will encounter many forms of challenges that set them back. What matters most is taking away pertinent lessons that help us grow as people.

The Lessons You Learn Help Determine Your Future

From 1870, pioneers drifted into the Great Plains region of America, seeking better lives. Railroads gave these settlers land and other bonuses to move there, causing a massive influx of people. It’s a testament to the will of those people that they survived the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. 

These folks learned lessons in calm and storm. They were formed by the tough times and the good. All of us must consider the importance of doing the same in our lives.

Thinking positively is not going to make every single event in your life a happy one. Instead, it gives you the fortitude to deal with the bad and the good.

Remaining confident about your future, despite hardships, is the goal of the positive thinking philosophy. The discipline teaches you to look for the good, even when situations appear dire. Doing so refocuses goals and gives people the mental clarity they need to persevere.

Willa Cather was a Pulitzer-Prize-winning author known for her keen observation of people. What she saw in the people of the Great Plains was a relentless determination to survive and thrive. 

The Power Of Learning And Growing During Life’s Storms

There is much to take away from the wise words of Willa Cather. Life is often a series of ups and downs; sometimes, it can feel like the storm will never end. But remember, the storm always passes, and the calm eventually returns. During these trying times, we have the opportunity to learn and grow the most.

Feeling overwhelmed is easy amid the storm, but staying focused on what you can control is essential. So take a step back, breath, and prioritize what’s most important. It could be taking care of your physical and mental health, spending time with loved ones, or working on a passion project. Whatever it is, set aside time to work on it daily, even for only half an hour.

Remember, every storm has a purpose. Sometimes, it’s to clear the way for new opportunities and growth. Other times, it’s to help us appreciate the calm and appreciate the simple joys of life. Whatever the purpose, trust that you are strong enough to weather the storm and come out even stronger on the other side.

So, embrace the storm, and know that you have the power to turn adversity into growth. Keep pushing forward, stay focused on your goals, and remember to celebrate the small victories. You’ll come out of the storm better than ever with a positive mindset and a resilient spirit.

Making The Most Of The Calm: The Importance Of Preparation And Reflection

While we’ve highlighted the significance of growing through life’s storms, it’s equally critical to make the most of our calm periods. As Willa Cather expressed, “There Are Some Things You Learn Best in Calm, Some in Storm,” we can’t overlook the vital life lessons learned during peace and tranquility.

In the calm, we can take a moment to breathe, to center ourselves, and to plan for the storms ahead. Just as the pioneers of the Great Plains did in their quieter moments, you can use this time to prepare yourself, mentally and physically, for any upcoming trials. Preparation, after all, is half the battle.

Whether organizing your workspace, setting clear and achievable goals, or creating a roadmap for your future endeavors, these are lessons and activities best done in calm. Embrace the opportunity to develop your intentions and make a plan. Think of it as assembling your toolkit, ready for any storm life may throw at you.

Moreover, periods of calm allow us to reflect on past storms, extracting valuable lessons and gaining wisdom. We can analyze our experiences, understand our reactions, and identify areas for improvement. In doing so, we equip ourselves with knowledge and resilience for future challenges.

Surviving Storms: The Real-life Applications

Translating Willa Cather’s wisdom into our daily lives isn’t as daunting as it may seem. Consider, for instance, the challenges brought about by the pandemic that has swept the globe. This event can be seen as a ‘storm,’ disrupting lives and presenting unprecedented obstacles.

But within this storm, there are valuable lessons to learn. For many, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of adaptability. With remote work becoming the norm, we’ve had to adapt our work habits and routines, learning to manage our time effectively and balance our work and personal lives.

Similarly, we’ve learned to cherish our relationships, appreciating the value of connection when physically apart. These are examples of learning and growing amidst life’s storms.

The Power Of Mindfulness And Positive Thinking

Another critical element in navigating calm and storm lies in mindfulness – focusing on the present moment and accepting it without judgment. Whether it’s appreciating the tranquility during periods of calm or acknowledging the stress during a storm, mindfulness allows us to remain grounded and balanced.

As mentioned earlier, positive thinking is not about ignoring life’s problems. Instead, it’s about approaching difficulties with a productive attitude, trusting our ability to overcome them. It’s recognizing the storm and dancing in the rain rather than waiting for it to pass.

In everyday life, this could mean recognizing a challenging work project as an opportunity for growth instead of a hindrance or viewing an argument as a chance to improve communication skills rather than a relationship setback. By framing our experiences positively, we can turn our storms into learning opportunities and our periods of calm into times of growth and reflection.

Moving Forward

In conclusion, both calm and storm periods in our lives offer invaluable lessons. Like the settlers of the Great Plains, we, too, can learn, grow, and thrive, no matter the circumstances. As we navigate life’s calm and storm, we can remain resilient and optimistic, continuously learning, growing, and preparing for the journey ahead.

So, remember Willa Cather’s words whether you’re in the midst of a storm or enjoying a calm spell. Embrace your situation, keep learning, and always look for the silver lining, for it’s through the calm and the storm that we grow.