Embrace the Struggle

I’ve been thinking lately about the value of struggling.  No one likes to struggle.  We naturally want to take the easy road, the path of least resistance.  We try to avoid pain at all costs. 

The idea of struggle having value isn’t the first thing we think of when we’re pushing against a difficult part of reality.  All we’re thinking of at that moment is how to escape and find an alternate route.

But consider this:  struggle provides us with an opportunity for growth.  In fact, it’s impossible to grow without struggle!

What are we struggling against?  Often it’s our own limitations.  Things are easy enough until we come up against that boundary between ability and non-ability.  That’s when things get hard. 

At that point, we can persevere and continue to deal with the challenge, and over time expand our boundary and increase our ability. 

Or we can end the struggle right then and there.  We will avoid pain—that’s the benefit.  We will also avoid growth—that’s the cost.

Too many people expect growth to be easy.  That cheapens the hard-won growth many have fought tooth-and-claw to achieve.  

It doesn’t matter what area of life we’re talking about.  Music, sports, business, relationships, education, fitness—if we’ve made progress in any of these areas, it’s been a result of some sort of struggle.  Usually painful struggle. 

High achievers and peak performers have worked very hard to develop their skill and ability and in getting where they are today. 

How in the world does a man who is 100 lbs overweight get himself to the point of peak physical condition?  Only by a ton of blood, sweat, and tears. 

Those great musicians we are all amazed and dazzled by—how did they get to be so awe-inspiring?  Only by regular engagement with struggle—going up to the boundary of their ability and pushing, pushing, pushing against their limits.  Everyday.  Sometimes for hours.

What about the dyslexic high school student who earns a B-average despite a difficult disability?  Her grades may not seem that remarkable, but what we don’t see is how hard she has needed to work to accomplish this level of success.

As the saying goes, “Smooth seas don’t produce strong sailors”.  But the sailor who has sailed through life-threatening storms will become a better sailor, or will die.

Some struggle seems pointless and unfair.  The pain may be a result of someone else’s bad behavior.  Nevertheless, if nothing else, we can use it to shape our character, which has enduring benefits (more on this in a future article). 

Those who’ve suffered much in life, and haven’t lost themselves or their souls in the process, have strength, fiber, substance, and depth that those who’ve lived a relative life of ease can’t match.

Struggle and difficulty can make us bitter or make us better.  The choice is ours.  And yes, it is a choice.

What’s your choice?

So, embrace struggle!  Do hard things.  Challenge yourself.  Of course, work to make life easier and more efficient wherever you can, but when you’re running after your goal and you hit that wall called “struggle”, push against it! 

The best things in life are waiting on the other side.