Why would difficulty ever be desirable? Because in overcoming difficulty we grow stronger. Just as the athletic trains by lifting ever greater weights, so too do we grow by seeking out ever greater challenges. It is vital that we take full advantage of opportunities to grow (personally, spiritually, professionally) as we move through life because sooner or later life will throw us a curveball and the more we have prepared, the better we will weather the storm.

Just as your body needs regular exercise (Sweat! Sustained Elevated Heartbeat!) to stay healthy, so too your mind and spirit need to be regularly challenged to stay at their best.

Closing Quotes:

“Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.” – Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893

“Difficulty, my brethren, is the nurse of greatness, a harsh nurse, who roughly rocks her foster children into strength and athletic proportion.” – William C. Bryant, 1794-1878

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure” – Peter Marshall, b.1926

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier