The road to success is not straight; there is a curve called failure, a loop…
2025
The road to success is not straight; there is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family and a roller coaster ride called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success!
In spite of all our planning and preparation, unexpected challenges are certain to arise. The bumps in the road are unavoidable, but you'll never get to your destination if you aren't willing to drive over them. The difference between a disaster and triumph lies in whether or not you're prepared and willing to weather the storm. If you're ready, those bumps will become stepping-stones.
The key thing to realize is that working harder is the same as working smarter. How do you work smarter? You just need to have the right skills. People want improved circumstances and better life without an improved self. They want victory without paying the price or making efforts. It really cannot happen without the other. Any improvements that have not been generated by improving yourself are superficial and short-lived. If you want to have a better future, you have to change yourself. Stop worrying about the various challenges that will come your way. Just believe in yourself and use them as stepping-stones.
'Success' is getting whatever you want out of life without violating the rights of others. It is not an accident. Success is the result of our attitude and our attitude is a choice. Hence success is a matter of choice and not chance.
Today success represents a holistic and positive attitude to life. Attitude is everything. Success is not restricted to some kind of brick and mortar premises. It assumes the individuality of a complete act executed with perfection; material achievements do not define life. We don't remember sports stars for the products they endorse but the spirit of achievement they represent. The abundance of a positive attitude underline the grandeur of a truly rewarding rich life.
Success can be measured from two standpoints- the external and the internal. Externally, it is the measure of a job well done, and recognition. Internally, it is the feeling of achievement and wholeness derived from the completion of a task, or the fulfilment of desire.
In the passage, the phrase 'willing to weather the storm' means:- (Choose the most appropriate option from below)
- A.
Being able to step out in stormy weather.
- B.
Willing to face or deal with a very difficult situation.
- C.
Willing to go for a roller coaster ride.
- D.
Readiness to make adequate arrangements to deal with stormy weather.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
In a reading-comprehension question about an idiomatic phrase, the phrase has to be read by its established figurative sense as a set expression, not decoded word by word or borrowed from an unrelated image elsewhere in the passage. "To weather a storm" is a standard English idiom meaning to get through, survive, or successfully deal with a difficult or troubled period without being ruined by it.
The passage first lists the setbacks that come with any pursuit — a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, a roller coaster ride called jobs — and then states that unexpected challenges and bumps in the road are certain to arise. The line in question follows directly from this: "The difference between a disaster and triumph lies in whether or not you're prepared and willing to weather the storm." Here "storm" stands for the unexpected challenges already described, and "weather" is used as a verb meaning to come through them. So "willing to weather the storm" describes someone willing to face and deal with a very difficult situation.
"Being able to step out in stormy weather" treats "storm" as literal weather rather than the passage's figurative image of hardship.
"Willing to go for a roller coaster ride" carries over the different metaphor the passage uses for "jobs," not the storm image the question asks about.
"Readiness to make adequate arrangements to deal with stormy weather" turns the idiom into advance preparation, whereas "weather the storm" is about facing and enduring the difficulty itself, not organising for it beforehand.
So the phrase "willing to weather the storm" means being willing to face or deal with a very difficult situation.