We accept suffering as a necessary evil. A part of life we would love to avoid. In fact many go out of their ways, at all costs, to avoid suffering. To find a peaceful, tranquil path along the journey of finding meaning and happiness in life.
Yet in their attempt to find happiness, I believe many are pushing it away. Rather than turn from suffering, perhaps we should embrace it. Rather than avoid the inevitable we should be proactive in seeking out suffering each day of our lives.
In life you will suffer. It’s guaranteed. Either through mediocrity or discovery. Through stagnation or growth. Suffering can be that soft wind to our backs, or fierce headwind holding us back. You decide the role suffering will take in your life. And in doing so, whether you will achieve happiness or not.
“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state
but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him.
What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost,
but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.”
- Victor Emil Frankl
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If I didn’t fully believe this, I would never sign up for another race! Well said and something every endurance athlete can relate to.
Thanks Allie. It’s not always fun during the suffering, right? But the rewards after are ALWAYS worth it.