Week 38 - "Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it's endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining" - Marcus Aurelius
Often, the phrase "let it happen" echoes in my mind, especially during challenging times. For years, I recognized that challenges and discomfort were part and parcel of growth. Yet, even with this acknowledgment, I'd find myself wrestling with these very discomforts when they arose.
While facing challenges head-on is pivotal for personal growth, I realized that a good portion of my struggles manifested as inner complaints. At the height of my discomfort, my mind would be clouded with thoughts of how terrible I felt.
A recent perspective shift, however, has provided me with that extra 1% I always seemedto be searching for.
"Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it's endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining" - Marcus Aurelius
This wisdom from Marcus Aurelius might not be revolutionary, but it's a sentiment I often overlook when I'm stepping outside my comfort zone. If an objective I'm striving for is achievable, then it's certainly endurable. And if it's endurable, my primary task is to bear it. Had it been unendurable, I wouldn't have aspired for it to begin with.
But what does "endure" really imply?
To me, enduring signifies navigating through. Whatever the obstacle, enduring it translates to finding ways to persist. The key, I've found, is in acceptance.
Preparing mentally for an impending challenge is one aspect – like gearing up for a hurdle you know you'll face. But truly experiencing that challenge, feeling the depth of pain or monotony, places you in a unique mind-body dilemma.
When you're in that moment when every fiber of your being is screaming for relief, that's when "letting it happen" truly comes into play. Preparation can guide us, but genuine acceptance becomes the beacon in those deep valleys of struggle.
This isn’t to say that every moment of pain or challenge is simply about passive resignation. No, it's about understanding and embracing the nature of that experience. When we're at the heart of a storm, fighting the wind might exhaust us, but finding a way to move with it, to harness its power, is what makes the difference.
The idea of "letting it happen" isn't about giving in or giving up. It’s about merging with the moment, aligning ourselves with the present challenge, and using its energy rather than letting it drain us. It's about turning inward, having a dialogue with oneself, and finding that core strength that often lies dormant until summoned by adversity.
In doing so, we not only endure, but we also evolve. We learn that our capabilities stretch far beyond what we previously perceived. And in that realization, we discover not just the ability to withstand, but the power to thrive. We begin to see that our journey isn’t just about reaching the end but about growing, understanding, and transcending with every step we take.
The next time you’re in a truly trying scenario, lean into the discomfort for it is in this embrace that you may find what you’re looking for.
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