We have a saying in our family, growing old is not for sissies! It reminds us that sometimes the battle we fight is simply the process of growing up and getting older. These words from Napoleon Hill iterated that same sentiment in a different way:
Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.
-Napoleon Hill 1970
Effort and struggle – who knew that we would actually want those things? Isn’t the goal an easy life? Days of peace and tranquility? Doing what we want, when we want, with the people we want…that’s life, right? Or is that merely the goods we have been sold, when in reality no one has it easy all the time.
Ask anyone who is learning, growing, moving forward, moving up, changing, or becoming…ask them…and they will tell you that it takes effort and strength to become the person we want to be, the person we were meant to be. Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors...another great quote which reminds us that it is struggle that turns us into people of valor, commitment, courage, even men and women of strength. Sissies don’t hang around long when times get tough. Sissies run home crying. And sissies are rarely seen by others as someone to admire and follow.
So today I remind my self – and you – to stop being a sissy!
Take a deep breathe and get back into that fight!!! Whatever it is you are struggling with – a new job, retirement, health challenges, family gobbledegook, finding new friends, clearing up a mess – it is part of the process to face it, get through it and BECOME stronger through effort. Lots and lots of effort, also known as work.
Get out there, roll up your sleeves, and get working. Put in the effort and build up (or back) the muscles you need to get to the other side. No matter what you think, YOU are worth the effort. The hard times never last. They test us, teach us, even force us to face the ugly parts of ourselves that we want to change. And it is our job to work and build our strengths to become a better version of ourselves.
Today let us embrace the effort it takes to be ourselves. To grow beyond today’s challenges and learn through this struggle. The world needs the best version of ourselves, even if that world is only our family, coworkers or neighbors. Your life is worth the effort! So take another deep breath and jump right back into the struggle. It is a blessing to put in effort and struggle and become the best version of ourselves.
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