Life is Hard

Summary

The web content discusses the acceptance of life's inherent difficulties as a means to navigate challenges, such as those posed by the Covid pandemic, with resilience and positivity.

Abstract

The article titled "Life is Hard" delves into the author's personal journey of embracing life's hardships as a source of comfort and strength. Drawing from the influential book "The Road Less Travelled" by Scott Peck, the author reflects on the opening line, "Life is hard," and how this realization has been a guiding principle through emotional struggles and the global crisis of Covid. The author emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude, informed decision-making, and self-care practices such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, prayer, meditation, and staying connected with positive influences. The pandemic serves as a test of character, revealing the need for qualities like patience, resilience, and compassion. The author advocates for accepting life's challenges as a path to happiness and health, rather than expecting ease.

Opinions

The author finds solace in the acknowledgment that life is inherently difficult, viewing it as a positive affirmation rather than a negative outlook.
Fear, anxiety, and negativity are seen as detrimental to physical health, necessitating proactive protection of one's mental well-being.
The author took specific actions in response to Covid, such as getting informed, following guidelines, securing income and housing, maintaining health, and nurturing spiritual and social connections.
There is a strong belief in the importance of making wise decisions to safeguard mental, emotional, and physical health during trying times.
The author suggests that the pandemic has revealed underlying societal issues and personal character traits that require attention and development.
The article conveys that one's response to adversity defines their character, and that cultivating positive traits is essential for enduring hardship.
The author encourages readers to pursue a full life, even with limitations, by accepting situations and focusing on personal growth and happiness.

Get used to it

Life gets easier when we accept that it’s hard so get used to it.

One of the first books I read on my spiritual journey was, “The Road Less Travelled” by Scott Peck. If I can remember correctly, the first line of the book was, Life is hard.

You wouldn’t believe how much those three words comforted me at that time. I was in my twenties and struggling with my emotions.

Today, many years on, I still accept this. Life is hard. I don’t see it as a negative statement, but a positive one because it tells me, I’m doing well despite my struggles.

I don’t expect things to be easy all the time and this has helped me during Covid. Right from the beginning, I said to myself, “Oh, here we go.” I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

When the negative news and drama started flooding in, Initially, I felt some fear, but quickly, I said no to it. I would not let the fear in.

I know that fear, anxiety, and negativity will wear down your physical health faster than any physical stress, so immediately, I started to protect my mental health.

Here’s what I did:

Got informed on what Covid was and what my options were

What were the guidelines that I needed to follow?

How was it going to affect my work — my income?

Where was I going to live during this pandemic as I had been traveling?

I ensured I maintained a healthy diet

I exercised regularly, but not intensely

I prayed and meditated

I stayed connected with positive people and attended church and meetings when I could

I started to develop my writing passion

I came off Facebook as I didn’t want to hear all the noise

I still wanted a full life, to work outside the home, to join groups and travel, but I knew I was limited, so accepting the situation helped me to remain healthy and positive

If we don’t make wise decisions to protect our mental, emotional and physical health then we will be dragged off with the crowd, which is usually not a good road to take.

Covid has tested us all. We have now seen what is beneath the surface in our society.

Hopefully, we have identified areas in our character that could do with a little bit of work, such as cultivating more patience, resilience, endurance, perseverance, kindness, compassion, hope, faith, etc.

Who are we when the going gets tough?

We can stay happy and healthy by accepting that life is not easy but that we are doing our best despite it.

🙏🧡

Thank you for reading!