Life is complex and contradictory. We as humans can do so much, yet also do so little. That said, we are bound to a fate of struggle and opposition. Many may lose hope at the sight of a setback, however we are not necessarily helpless to the trials ahead. One of the numerous gifts given to us as people is our determination, and the ability to adapt and overcome challenges. In the face of adversity, Zeno of Citium, Michelangelo, and my grandfather demonstrated the importance and process of overcoming adversity through mind, body, and soul. An aspect of overcoming challenges is through the mind. Zeno of Citium, the founder of stoicism, is a model example of the capabilities of the mighty intellect. Once a traveling merchant, Zeno spent a great …show more content…
Michelangelo, a famous Renaissance artist and polymath, was commissioned by the pope to paint the ceiling of the Sistine chapel primarily alone. Michelangelo was a sculptor, and did not think of himself as a painter however accepted the task, since as a devout Catholic, painting for the church was a great honour. The mission brought Michelangelo numerous mental and physical challenges. He worked tirelessly, with his neck facing upwards for more than 12 hours a day. Tracking the progress of the piece from the angle he worked at was difficult, and he had no choice but to trust the process and persist despite his doubts. On top of that, the project took place from 1508-1512, therefore he did not have the convenience of the modern tools we use today. Painting on the ceiling strained his physical body, leading to long-term health problems, leaving behind such a profound imprint on the artist, that he even wrote a poem vividly describing the conditions he endured. “My beard was turned to heaven, my belly touched my chin, my brain was crushed in a casket and my neck grew a goiter whilst streams of paint rained down endlessly on my face”. Regardless of the countless trials, Michelangelo was passionate, devoted to his craft and religion, and knew the the historical severity of the project. Therefore, he persevered in his quest. Through Michelangelo’s steps, we see that overcoming obstacles demands more than …show more content…
Daniel Imperial, my grandpa, had a quality that distinguished him from the rest: the perpetual fire of his soul. He was a kind man, a strong man. Strong, not only physically, but spiritually. A man who lived a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. When nearing old age, his kidney failed, and had to undergo hemodialysis. For years, he has overcame many physical health issues, and it seemed as if the more he struggled, the more purposeful he became. All went smoothly, until his greatest challenge yet. In fifth grade, my grandfather was hospitalized. During his stay at the hospital, he had tubes inserted everywhere. He couldn’t walk, he couldn’t talk, he couldn’t eat, and to breathe he required a tube inserted into his throat along with a machine that regulated his oxygen. He was in pain, and from the looks of it, he was nearing the end. Fortunately, his condition improved, however, with the patient undergoing surgery to remove the tube placed down his throat. The risks outnumbered the benefits, and the chance of survival was undefined. However, after countless hours of anticipation, the surgery was successful. Friends and family came to greet and congratulate him, one nurse even saying “Daniel, he’s a fighter”. An inspiration.” I never knew how or why he continued to persist, until he recovered fully and told me about his experience. Undergoing surgery, he recalled fighting with angels
Adversities are often given a negative connotation and view, as most consider them to be hurdles which impede progress. Nevertheless when taken in and accepted under a positive light, adversities can serve as stepping stones through which an individual can better their character. In the face of looming obstacles individuals who persevere come out of the situation as stronger, determined, and more hopeful for the future.
While buried, so deep beneath the cavity of adversity, finding hope is nearly impossible. But, it is the ability of decisions that aids as the last gleam of hope retrievable. After facing many struggles, it becomes almost involuntary for someone to put up a guard. With using that strategy, and the transgression of time without progress, there’s a certain ignition of comprehension. Change needs to occur, and a complete remedy of that
Most people do not actively seek out adversity, yet few can escape encountering adversity in the form of hardships and afflictions. Two people who faced great adversity in their lives were Martin Luther King Jr. and my father Brent Vickery. These men both faced adversity in different degrees and at different times and places within the United States, but what makes them similar is that their strength of character allowed them to face adversity boldly.
In this film, Michelangelo is first commissioned by the Pope to execute a design for the 12 apostles on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo accepts this commission begrudgingly; he has no choice but to accept. Michelangelo begins to paint the apostles on the ceiling, yet he is unsatisfied with his work. One night, inspired by the metaphor ‘if the wine is sour, spill it out,’ he trashes the work he has completed so far and runs into the mountains, away from the Pope and his commission. While in the marble quarries of Italy, he sees an image of God and Adam in the sky; Michelangelo believes this to be a sign from God, which he will then translate into the now famous Birth of Adam scene on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo returns to Rome with his plan for the ceiling and begins his masterpiece.
We should not let our hardships and challenges defeat us, but rather we should conquer our challenges.
It is the challenges we face that make it look dark and gloomy. The key to a productive existence is not the emotions we feel when presented with adversity, but in our ability to overcome, grow and evolve. In comparison, examine the Spoken Indian searching for hope in hardships, or the extraordinary taste and smell of the wine connoisseur who lacks sight. See the trial & errors or the young man growing to love both parents, and the college student whose heart is blistering with pain from the loss of his mother, but finds healing in his new home as an emerging scholar. We are all exploring methods to handle
Michelangelo Buonarroti was one of the top three Italian artists. His work are examples of how great the art was in the High Renaissance Era. Michelangelo’s chalk drawing, Study of a Man, was his analysis of the way he saw the body and the way it was shaped and saw the different positions. By using critical thinking as he created his art, he had the ability to study the way a man looks. He was able to process how the way the body moves and sits.
The Renaissance, the time period in European history following the Middle Ages, was a period of cultural and artistic renewal that began in Florence, Italy and spread across Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries. It was a revival of education, science, art, literature, and music. However, the Renaissance era is mostly famous for its art, which includes some of the most iconic and beautiful pieces of all time. The Renaissance was filled with incredible artists, with Michelangelo being remembered as one of the most famous artists of the period.
Adversity provides the fundamental stimulus for the development of integrity and a mature mindset, allowing the amelioration of former errancies and expansion of perspective on life, and this furthers society’s progress towards idealism.
People face adversity everyday, whether it be at work, at school, at home, or just walking down the street. Adversity itself isn’t inherently bad or good, but most of the time when see adversity as having a negative connotation to it. Throughout the past, the present, and even fiction, we see how people react to adversity in different ways and we see the effects that this has on their lives. Using humanist philosophies from the REnaissance, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, and an article called “Inspired or Frustrated, Women Go to Work for Themselves”, it is clear to see that people challenge and persist in the face of adversity which leads to the development and acceptance of new social and economic standards.
The night Michelangelo Buonarroti was born, “Mercury and Venus were in the house of Jove,” says Vasari. This means that, according to a lucky star, Michelangelo could be expected to produce extraordinary works of both art and intellect. How true this turned out to be! Whether it was fate or coincidence, few haven’t heard of this world renowned and avant-garde talent. From painting to architecture and sculpture, it seems like there is nothing Michelangelo couldn’t master. Michelangelo is said to have considered himself a sculptor, but why was it then that he produced his sculpture with such a unique and striking depiction of the human body? Why did Michelangelo create such masculine forms, and was it self expression that provoked this intense artistry? There are many factors that can influence an artists creative process, but with Michelangelo the most prominent were most likely his religion, society, travels, and self perception.
Like most art commissioned by the Catholic Church, the Sistine Chapel was intended to elevate the standing of the church and to inspire church goers in their faith. However, the creation of the Sistine Chapel frescos is not as simplistic as those who commissioned Michelangelo to paint them intended, particularly The Last Judgment fresco. Through art history researchers have discovered that the frescos Michelangelo painted were layered with hidden messages. By looking at Michelangelo’s life and religious teaching of his day, and his personal belief we can determine what the true meaning behind his work was.
However, Pope Julius II, regarded throughout our time as one of the most powerful popes in recent memory, was not particularly fond of the expressionless ceiling. Seeking to convey his growing power after a series of military victories from 1500-1506, Julius began to consider having the ceiling repainted. Such a task, while seemingly enormous, certainly must have appeared minor when compared to his recent commission for New Saint Peters just seven short years ago. Fond of Michelangelo’s past work, who is by now well-known across the entire Italian peninsula for his Pieta and David, Julius II selected Michelangelo to repaint the ceiling. While the artist was not particularly fond of the task, Michelangelo grudgingly accepted the commission in 1508, and blessed us with his the completed version of his divinely inspired work in
I will eventually have to make continual struggles during the course of my life, whether I like it or not. I should never turn my back on it but face the issue patiently. I should be brave, courageous and confident. I believe if I pursue my life’s journey steadily and with tranquility through all the struggles I have to endure, success will eventually come.
Life is a road of obstacles in which you step on nails, broken glass, hot coals, and blades of steel. Your feet bleed and your wounds throb, but how do we persevere? How do we keep pushing on from the nails digging at our strength, the glass biting on our pride, the coals burning our hope, and the blades shredding our dreams? The roads we tread on test us and break us down into dust. The persistence to walk through and keep fighting lies within us. We falter and stop, but undoubtedly and without question move forward. It is not just one difficulty that we overcome there are numerous. They are minor seemingly insignificant battles within ourselves, against ourselves, and with others that go unseen. There are hindrances that run deep in our souls and heart and that just nearly scratch the surface. Such situations in which we have no control and the happenings unfold into the most challenging of time in our lives. We learn to deal and adapt to them almost to the point that the go unnoticed.