[W Forum] Difficulties Make Us Shine

"In my childhood, people around me recognized that I had exceptional talent in soccer, and I decided to pursue soccer as my future career. Like a bolt from the blue, at the age of 10, I was diagnosed with a type of disability called 'growth hormone deficiency.' There was a noticeable difference in leg length compared to taller players, and a difference in power when shooting. My small physique was inevitably a huge handicap in physical confrontations. Simply put, no matter how hard I worked, I could not compete on an equal footing with others. Why did this happen to me? What should I do going forward?"

Not being familiar with soccer, I could not immediately recall whose story this was when I first heard it. The protagonist is none other than Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona. Was it true that he had such unfavorable conditions? Out of curiosity, I looked up some information. He received multiple injections and engaged in supportive exercises to overcome his disability, but he remained relatively short at about 170 cm. Most people might have chosen a different path out of disappointment or self-justification.

However, Messi trained several times harder than others, avoiding physical confrontations with taller players and increasing his agility to break through spaces. As a result, he was able to rise to the position of the world’s best soccer player today.

“Why did this have to happen to us?” This question-inducing hardship has recently come upon us as well. Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which we have never experienced before, it feels like entering a pitch-dark tunnel. Unlike two months ago when I briefly wondered, “Are we overreacting to a minor illness?” now the policy of “social distancing” is being recommended, and various parts of society are temporarily paralyzed.

Working in the financial industry, I am feeling tension and fatigue due to the volatility of global finance that exceeds expectations. In fact, over the past one to two weeks, I have felt indescribable fear watching global assets evaporate to levels seen over a decade ago. Those working in industries that experience the real economy daily may be facing even more painful times than I am.

When things are extremely difficult, textbook-like stories may just echo faintly in one’s ears. However, I want to focus on the positive aspect that a future where we can comfort each other and laugh bigger awaits. Although tasks are delayed and piled up and the economy is retreating, we can newly realize and prepare for things we had missed in our busy lives.

First, in the involuntarily gained leisure time, we can take care of precious routines that we had postponed due to busyness. Regardless of public or private sectors, many gatherings have recently been canceled. Although work that would have been conducted through official meetings has been postponed, the time to talk with my daughter about what she is interested in these days, what future dreams she is curious about, and how her mother spent her day at work has increased.

Second, we are spending essential time to maintain our health. When busy every day, one becomes exhausted without even realizing how the day ends. These days, I return home earlier, can have meals at home, and even secure more sleep time, which is such a relief. With physical strength recharged to support organized thoughts, all that remains is to run hard at the starting signal.

The current hardship, which we wish had never happened, will become a necessary and sufficient condition to run stronger and farther forward. Even if it feels like a difficult time now, I hope that in the near future we will look back and realize it was a time we truly needed.

Yoon Bo-won, Sales Executive, Hana Financial Investment Club1WM Center