Persistence over pessimism

April 5, 2021

“Better it is to live one day strenuous and resolute than to live a hundred years sluggish and dissipated.” - Buddha

Our most strenuous experiences are often the ones we look back on as our life’s defining moments. Approached resolutely, these events can serve as catalysts for personal growth. They can help us identify what’s most important in our lives and develop compassion for others working to overcome similar struggles. These challenges can also teach us tenacity, transform the way we see things, and nurture our capacity for strength and resiliency. 

It’s not easy to see struggles as opportunities, especially in the midst of them. It’s far easier to wish for a life free from challenges but, of course, that isn’t realistic.

Some days will be strenuous, maybe even some weeks or months or years. How we choose to approach these moments—with perseverance or pessimism—dictates the outcome.