Strength Comes From Suffering

Something to ponder:

Strength comes from suffering and how you choose to react to it.

It is not succeeding or achieving or winning that makes one strong, it is how you have chosen to respond to the resistance, the struggles and setbacks on the road to success that develops inner strength. It is because of this that I advocate so forcefully for genuine and sincere challenge through meaningful endeavour. It is through the experience of real challenge propelled by meaning and/or purpose and how we act within that experience that we gift ourselves true strength.

Pro Tip: When we think of challenging moments on our respective roads, think in terms of the virtues you would like to see yourself embody. Unclear on what these might be? Do you remember having an emotional response to seeing somebody (perhaps someone you know) fight through a challenging moment or time in their lives? Ask yourself what virtues/values were they displaying that marked me? Put names to them – integrity, discipline, patience, calm, honesty, courage. The emotional response you would have experienced is a clear indicator this is a virtue that means something deeply to you. Now visualise a challenging moment ahead in your journey and see and feel yourself act through this virtue.

Something to practise:

Reframe the Moment

Next time you catch yourself experiencing moments of discomfort; physical, emotional or mental – pause and ask yourself:

“How do I want to act here?”

This is the core of ‘reframing the moment.’ Rather than seeing stress or suffering as something to avoid, you see it as the very forge where the virtue you desire more of from yourself is being formed.

Here’s how to practise it:

Identify one virtue that resonates with you.
Anticipate moments of struggle ahead this week, i.e: training, relationships, career performance, uncertainty.
Rehearse how you’d respond in those moments through the lens of your chosen virtue. Remember to feel the experience of embodying the virtue while seeing yourself acting out a scenario.
Anchor a simple self talk prompt like:
Discipline – “The warrior shows no external stress”
Self Control – “Embrace the pain; question it! What are you?”
Perseverance – “Nothing will stop me finishing this session” (especially not me or my mind)

You are not just pushing through discomfort, you are consciously shaping who you are through the experience.

Remember: It’s a game of moments. Practice controlling those difficult moments.

Have a look at this in action – https://vimeo.com/1068516330/907a3c3aab?share=copy

Something to pose:

“What am I choosing at this moment—reaction or response?”

There is a critical difference between the two.

A reaction is immediate, emotional, and automatic.
A response is aware, intentional, and aligned with who you want to be.

Every moment of suffering offers you a choice.

Will you hand the reins to your unconscious patterns?

Or will you take the reins and respond from your values?

The choice you make determines whether that moment becomes a wound… or a weapon.

‘As long as you live, keep learning how to live’

~ Seneca

Strength Comes From Suffering

Something to ponder: