When I look back on my life, it is not the times of comfort and ease I find rewarding. It is the moments of pain and tears, adversity and discomfort, resilience and perseverance that I am most proud of. I envision my younger self struggling, yet fighting – a man overcoming the shadow of his inadequacy, his fear, and his negativity. I rest in the wisdom granted by that younger man, for he chose to face his struggles. To not let them hinder him, but rather push beyond and tell fate, “Step aside. I have my own path to make.” To that younger man, I give you the entirety of my gratitude. And to the older one who will come, I promise you wisdom that is only attained by peering into the soul of struggle and accepting the gifts it has to offer.
Let challenge be our arena. Let perseverance be our path. The best things in life are on the other side of comfort.
