Straight Lines
“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” — Seneca
This writing is Certified Human
The Obstacle
We want things to be simple. Easy. Straightforward.
Learning. Progress. Relationships.
We feel like they should all be in straight lines. Constantly progressing.
Life gets in the way. Setbacks happen.
Almost nothing happens in a straight line. There are always diversions, setbacks, failures, and struggles that keep us from progressing at the rate we want to.
This is true in business and in our personal lives.
This is also true physically, mentally, and spiritually.
When we’re trying something new, trying to get better, trying to learn, or trying to heal, it’s almost never in a straight line or without setbacks.
The Gift And Opportunity
Straight lines make for boring roads.
The greatest paths are the ones with detours, curves, unexpected turns, and interesting stories.
We think we want our progress to be consistent. Linear. On a straight path.
But would we really learn the best?
We learn from adversity and struggle.
Setbacks and misdirections test our fortitude. They allow us to develop character, as well as skills and relationships.
If we were never tested, we would never develop the resilience or character it takes to be good friends, parents, partners, and leaders.
We may want and expect the straight path, but we should appreciate the twists and turns along the way, even if they are seemingly setbacks.
The Practice Of Self-Mastery
• Notice the setback
• Accept the twist
• Find the lesson
• Keep moving forward
CHEAT CODE: NOTICE → ACCEPT THE TWIST → FIND THE LESSON → KEEP MOVING FORWARD
The Why
I hurt my shoulder fairly good over the weekend.
It was getting better. Felt like progress was being made.
Then I reached down to pull the sheet up at night. Because it was caught under the bed, I pulled harder than I should have, and my shoulder is back to hurting pretty bad.
I was frustrated at the setback but realized there’s an opportunity to really take it easy and be careful these next few days while it heals up.
Potentially, this minor setback from something silly like pulling on the sheet saved me from making it much worse a day or two down the line, when I would inevitably get a little comfortable and cocky and do something I shouldn’t.
So yes, this is a setback, and it’s a bit frustrating.
But this twist may have saved me from an even further setback.
Subscribe To The Daily Journal For An EMAIL To Start Your Day
Made For Mornings | Built For You | Delivered Daily
Being Human Journal
https://www.beinghumanhealth.com/journal
Want to develop your Human Potential: Being Human Health
