This is the Benefit of Hardship
The end of discomfort is not its goal.
“What would have become of Hercules do you think if there had been no lion, hydra, stag, or boar — and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges?
Obviously he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep. So by snoring his life away in luxury and comfort he never would have developed into the mighty Hercules.
And even if he had, what good would it have done him? What would have been the use of those arms, that physique, and that noble soul, without crises or conditions to stir into him action?” ― Epictetus
Discomfort sucks.
But it’s only by viewing our troubles from a long timeline that they seem to have played a much-needed role in our development — infact, we might be glad we went through some of these problems.
They make us the formidable human beings and symbols of strength we are today, able to take care of the people we service, the family depending on us for sustenance, and those looking up to us for guidance.
If it weren’t for us failing we wouldn’t have learned how to be humble and focus on the process rather than the success and adulation. How to be more careful in our attention to detail. How to be strategic with our work.
If it weren’t for the pressure to perform well we wouldn’t have witnessed our ability to grow from practice at an outstanding rate and gain towering confidence to embark on grander ambitions.
If we weren’t ugly, like Deadpool, we wouldn’t have learned to be funny and take ourselves less seriously — knowing God makes the wildest jokes.
Now, instead of complaining, what if we brought that clarity to this moment?
What if we thought that whatever dip we’re going through right now will come to pass and we’ll look back at it with lots of pride for how it has empowered us?
What if we took conscious control of the pressure and used its impetus to refine us as best as possible, by doing everything it demands of us with composure and determination?
The end of discomfort is not its goal.
You can’t let foggy difficulties shield you from the winded path driving you toward greatness.
This is no time to get lost. Or lose heart.
To see this is the highest wisdom.
But if you don’t,
“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself.”
It’s risking to, “die as someone quite ordinary,” Epictetus says.
The Aesthetic Experience
"...aesthetic pleasure in the beautiful consists, to a large extent, in the fact that, when we enter the state of pure contemplation, we are raised for the moment above all willing, above all desires and cares; we are, so to speak, rid of ourselves." — Arthur Schopenhauer (The World as Will and Representation)
The Stoics were big fans of appreciating the beauty in the world. This comeliness is reflected in the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. The artful expression of Stoic ideas is why the book still resonates 2,000 years later.
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them…for such thoughts wash away the dust of earthly life.”
In the spirit of washing away the dust of earthly life, these are the three art pieces I found interesting this week. Enjoy.
Exhibit I
Exhibit II
Exhibit III:
I wish you a great week ahead,
Antonius Veritus.
What I’m listening to:
The end of discomfort is not its goal - profound
There is a path we're being prepared for in the midst of our sufferings; often ,the suffering we face are the things we've no control. After that awakening, we now turn inwards and see the light.