Intro
We often marvel at the capability of the human mind until we are forced to be trapped inside of it.
We are blinded by optimization and are infatuated with “the new thing”. We look unto the future to fix our current problems for us as we remain seated. Many seem to believe that the problems they face will fix themselves, that they can wait just a day longer before they start the thing that could make everything better. They avoid taking action cause action is painful, and why accept the pain when the future will fix itself? They seek escape from their ailments not through solutions but by blindfolds. Many resort to staying isolated and silent while life passes them by. They desire for things to change whilst doing nothing at all. They unknowingly replace the pain of action with the pain of inaction.
The pain of inaction is subtle but ruthless. It is the pain of watching a plant wither and die, the pain of watching opportunities vanish, the pain of watching a good friend grow distance. Many believe they can mask the pain with social media, video games, or other escapes that take them away from reality. No matter how long they are gone, the pain will remain and meet them when they return. The dept of inaction will always accrue, and it will always ensure it gets it’s due.
On the other side of the pond is action. Unlike inaction, action demands that we wrestle with the pain bluntly and immediately. We are forced to handle the discomfort all at once. There is no working around this simple fact. We get up and we care for our plants, we jump on opportunities regardless of our discomfort, and we maintain our relationships with people who matter to us even when it is hard. Through this we become stronger. We become stronger not by neglecting the pain, rather we become stronger by embracing the pain and persevering. We are formed by the burdens we undertake, and the more we shoulder the stronger we become. Building resilience to the burdens of life does not come free. If it did, there would be nothing special about resilience, perseverance, or hard work. Somewhat intuitively, we understand the cost of developing those skills. The harder worker isn’t better simply because he works hard, it’s what working hard develops within the worker that makes him desirable.
There are many core beliefs which form the kind of person that I am. This remains one of the most critical. I do not attempt to escape my ailments through blindfolds but by action. I take steps every day to ensure that I am able to live a life that I will be proud of. This influences my work, my relationships, it influences who I am. I chose not to let my life circumstances drag me into a life I did not want to live. I stood up, took ownership, and forged my own path.
I focus on being disciplined rather than on proving it to others. I would rather spend my energy bettering myself over focusing on performative virtue. I treat all my core beliefs like this. I am not here to fool others into believing I am a quality individual, I’d rather just be one.
