“Challenges have shown me “shege” in this life, but at the same time, they cut off my rough edges and make me a beauty to behold – Adeolu Akinyemi.
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was a Swiss-American psychiatrist and author who is best known for her work on the theory of the five stages of grief. She was born in 1926 and passed away in 2004. Kübler-Ross was a prominent figure in the field of death and dying, and her work has had a significant impact on end-of-life care and grief counselling.
The quote, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen”, speaks to the idea that people who have faced challenges and hardships in their lives often have a deeper understanding of what it means to be human, and as a result, they are more empathetic and compassionate towards others.
Here are four examples from real-life people that exemplify this quote:
1. Oprah Winfrey – Oprah was born into poverty and suffered abuse as a child. She overcame these challenges to become one of the most successful and influential media personalities in the world. Through her various philanthropic efforts, Oprah has shown a deep compassion for those who are less fortunate than herself.
2. J.K. Rowling – Rowling was a single mother who lived in poverty before the success of the Harry Potter books. Her own struggles with depression and anxiety have informed her writing and led her to become an advocate for mental health awareness.
3. Nelson Mandela – Mandela spent 27 years in prison before becoming the first black President of South Africa. His experiences during that time taught him the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, and he became a champion of these values throughout his life.
4. Malala Yousafzai – Malala was shot by the Taliban for her advocacy for girls’ education in Pakistan. Despite this traumatic experience, she continued to speak out and has become a global symbol of resilience and courage. Malala’s experiences have given her a deep understanding of the importance of education and the power of hope.
What type of challenges, pains and struggles have you faced? It is the comfort you have received to becoming normal from your own challenges that will be valuable to others who you will be in a good position to help in the future. Our voices are only as loud as what we successfully passed through. Keep moving, don’t stop!
Kind Regards,
Adeolu Akinyemi.
