Has anything meaningful been accomplished that did not involve struggle?
Do we clamour to see a movie or read a story where the hero sails smoothly to success?
Can you name one event or achievement of yours that did not involve a low point?
Even an event that ‘Goes off without a hitch’ likely had a good deal of planning and execution to prepare for and prevent any of said hitches?
So why do we try to protect ourselves and others, especially our kids, from struggle?
Why do we tell our kids that the ref’s sucked and “If he made the right call you would have won the game?”
Why do we protect ourselves and others from tough conversations with lots of grey area?
Why do we try to avoid the thing that makes everything, the human experience, so special?
It’s marathon running season where hundreds of thousands make time and rearrange their schedule and life to train and run for an event that has the potential to be life changing.
But there are also individuals using that goal as an escape, or excuse, for the real goals they should be pursuing.
The dreams that keep them up at night, or that are drowned by cheap, meaningless conversation, endless scrolling, binge watching Netflix and drugs of choice…
The activities you should be doing that haunt, building resentment, fostering mindless eating incessant checking of your fantasy football team or the news feed.
Searching for that article or event which may or may not exist.
The only way to peace is to follow the path, wherever it may go. Run towards the struggle, run into the fire, run into Hell and keep going.
Winston Churchill was coined with the quote, “When you’re going through hell, keep going.”
But first you must choose your Hell.
And when you are going through Hell. Be Thankful.
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