Why does life have to be so difficult? Why must we all be faced with so many challenges? Wouldn’t life be so much more enjoyable (and easier) if everything was handed to us on a silver platter? It’s a tempting proposition to consider what your life would be like if you did not have to face any adversity whatsoever, if you didn’t have to worry about money, health, your family, or any number of other issues that typically arise in just about anyone’s life.
For example, some people who hold conventional jobs feel that life would be a lot easier if they could enjoy the freedom of freelancing. It sounds awfully appealing to work when you want to work (and not work when you don’t want to work). On the flip side, some entrepreneurs may feel that life would be less stressful if they could rely on a steady salary from a regular job. There’s always two sides to every coin.
Although it may sound great to live a life without any difficulties, you have to realize that adversity is absolutely necessary… and I’ll tell you why.
Challenges Keep Life Interesting
I remember reading somewhere about the analogy of a stream or river. Think about how the water would flow if there were no rocks in the way, no bends in the river, and a perfectly level floor beneath it. Pretty boring, right? Now consider the prospects of white water rafting, where the waves are crashing in every which direction, there are hazards everywhere you look, and the bends in the river make your adventure so much more exciting. Life is much the same way.
Some people may look to those turns and see that they are difficult. Some people may see those giant rocks and view life as a very dangerous proposition. That may be true, but it’s also a matter of perspective. Life is just more interesting (and worth living) when there are challenges before you. These can keep you going and motivate you to improve yourself in some way. Life is roller coaster, not a lazy stroll through the park.
Your Decisions Matter
If there was no adversity in your life, then the decisions that you make along the way wouldn’t matter. Whether you opted for door number one or door number two, you would not be faced with something difficult or unpleasant. With life the way it is, however, your decisions matter. Life is almost like a game show; you could win a brand new sports car or you could be left with a box full of nothing. That’s what makes life so interesting and that’s why your decisions matter. By extension, you matter.
Are you going to take the path that is tried and true or are you going to take the road less traveled by? Whatever your chosen destination may be, just remember that it’s about the journey. And the nature of the journey is dependent on your decisions.
Achievements Are That Much Sweeter
Ultimately, the biggest reason why adversity is a necessity in life is that it makes your achievements so much more valuable. If you set a goal for itself, like buying a Nissan GT-R, and someone just hands it to you, it’s somehow not that rewarding. By contrast, if you work hard to save up those bucks and buy the car yourself, you can lead a motivated life and the reward is much more rewarding.
Yes, life is hard. Things won’t always go your way, but that’s alright… because at least you can have a lot of fun along the way. Even if it’s a little scary.
Heard that
From the start, I thought you were having a quarter-life crisis, talking about life being a river with its bends and waves crashing in every directions.
In the famous words of Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolate, you’ll never know what you’re gonna get”.
That’s what make life interesting.
In the famous words of Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolate, you’ll never know what you’re gonna get”.
Yes, you do. You’ll get fat. 😉
But, sometimes you work hard for your reward and, when you finally get it, you’re disappointed. It’s often the journey that’s more important. But, sometimes it would be nice to have a journey that doesn’t involve crumbling bridges, slippery paths across jagged rocks, and empty water bottle and some crazed stalker chasing after you with a machine gun.
In whatever we choose lets make the best out of it.