Staying Positive in the Face of Adversity: Living Your Values When It’s Hardest

By Coral Kline, GCC Board Member

I don’t know if you have been feeling the way that I have lately. It seems like the world around me has been going off the rails. The space around me feels heavy. People have disappointed me. Words and actions have cut deeply.

But in these moments, we have a choice:

Do we lose ourselves in the chaos around us, or do we rise—rooted in kindness, equity, inclusion, and respect?

Life has a way of testing us—sometimes in subtle, quiet ways, and other times in loud, painful bursts. In moments of adversity, when challenges pile up and people seem more interested in tearing you down than lifting you up, staying grounded in your core values can feel like an uphill battle. But it’s precisely during these difficult times that our commitment to kindness, equity, inclusion, and respect becomes most powerful.

I try to remember that anyone can be kind when things are going well. It’s easy to show respect when you feel respected. But when you’re under pressure, facing criticism, or being misunderstood or mistreated, that’s when your true character is revealed.

Values aren’t just ideals we talk about when life is calm—they’re the compass that guide us through the storm.

Kindness, especially under pressure, is strength. It doesn’t mean ignoring hurtful behavior—it means responding to it with intention instead of reaction.

In difficult times, it’s natural to retreat into what’s familiar and comfortable. But living equitably and inclusively means continuing to make space for others, even when you feel there’s little space for yourself. That doesn’t mean sacrificing your well-being—it means recognizing that hardship doesn’t give us permission to exclude, judge, or turn inward in fear.

Continue to amplify marginalized voices. Continue to check your own biases. Continue to show up for others, even in your struggle. It all matters.

When people disrespect you, the instinct might be to return the energy. But respect isn’t just something we offer others—it’s a reflection of how grounded we are in our own integrity.

Keep showing up with kindness. Keep standing for equity. Keep making space for inclusion. Keep honoring yourself and others with respect. Even—especially—when it’s hard. You are part of a powerful movement of people who are choosing love over hate, dignity over despair, and hope over fear.

That’s how change happens. That’s why GCC is here.