You don’t know what you’re capable of until you’re tested.
One of the most famous stories of this kind is that of a person named Doris Miller, who woke up on December 7th1941, as a United States Navy cook third class aboard a battleship West Virginia. Later that afternoon, he entered American history as the first black American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat.
When the first Japanese bombs and torpedoes exploded at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Miller risked his life to bring wounded sailors to safety. Then he joined the fray by manning an anti-aircraft machine gun – a weapon he had no training in. When the attack was over, he helped pull several sailors to safety from the burning water.
Doris Miller was once an unknown Navy soldier among thousands. Next, he was one of the first heroes of World War II. Instead of running from adversity he showed himself and the world what he truly was as a member of the Navy, as a Black man, and as a human being.
When torpedoes hit your marriage, family, or career, you know how real you are. Hope you find the character you need to battle. If not, develop it. Embrace challenges instead of avoiding them. Strengthen your resolve. The bigger the struggle, the more of you it will take to overcome it. But I promise you… you are stronger than you think.