Thursday, May 11, 2023
Abe Lincoln was once asked why he didn’t fire one of his cabinet members who was always challenging him. To some effect, Lincoln responded by stating that he understood the value of a spur, the impetus for growth. If we try to get rid of every thorn, shoo every fly, or escape every challenge, we sterilize the catalyst of life itself – resistance for growth’s sake. Escapism is not the goal. Everything is disposable today: If you don’t like something, just quit; if you have one quarrel with a lover, leave; if you have a health problem that could be fixed with better nutrition, take a pill; if you have love handles that could be erased by better fitness, go see a plastic surgeon.
Puzzles intrigue the brain and make it grow and flow. Resistance at the gym tears down muscle, only to build it stronger. Tight corners open the mind for more clever ideas. Recalcitrant people in your life build up your tolerance. The unknown whets your appetite for adventure and excitement.
We nestle ourselves in a cocoon of ease; we build walls of protection against the “enemy;” and we take great measures not to be bothered. But going to the gym only seems bothersome. Resistance is the sweet sustenance for strength. Dancing, jumping rope, pull-ups, pushups, sit-ups, and stretching are beautiful forms of resistance against gravity. Your body would glow. Life will seem like it’s pushing back and cutting you down. It’s good for you. Accept challenges in all forms, like you would a good crossword puzzle. Don’t be a coward, accept and push against the duality. That’s the wonderful “game” of life. Play it with great enthusiasm. Escapism, comfort zones, and ease won’t build you up at all. They will bore you and make you weak and lazy.