Why Struggle is the Key to Growth
“The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.”—Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
We often wish for an easy life, yet struggle is what makes us grow. But have you ever stopped to consider what kind of person you would be without challenges? Would you know your strength if life never tested you? Life’s contradiction is that we resist the very thing that awakens our potential. Transformative growth occurs during our darkest moments. When we overcome them, we discover aspects of ourselves that have been hidden from sight, revealing the essence of our character. While you may see yourself as ordinary, maybe not destined for Nobel recognition, you possess a distinctive calling in your genetics: to evolve, expand, and become more.
This potential I speak of isn’t reserved for a select few. It resides within each of us, much like a candle waiting to be lit. But what if you’ve been ignoring that light that dwells within you? What if your challenges are directing you toward something greater? As you reach to become more, you join forces with universal intelligence to express your infinite potential. Even though we play a small role in the greater orchestration of events in the physical universe, this doesn’t mean we play an insignificant role in the co-creation process. Instead, the decisions we make today have a ripple effect on our lives and the lives of those around us. In other words, we are all connected on a deeper level, as our lives are intertwined, even though it may not always seem that way.
This innate potential we possess—characterized as the spark of possibility—is formed by our beliefs. Your beliefs shape your perceptions. Your perception magnifies your view of reality so that what you expect is what you get. If our beliefs shape our reality, what happens when we shift our perspective? Have you ever reflected on a past hardship and appreciated how it taught you something valuable? What if the struggle you’re facing now is also revealing a hidden strength within you? Instead of a life shaped by hardship, we begin to see opportunities buried within our challenges. It’s an ongoing discussion that life is one struggle after another. Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way. There is more to life than meets the eye. Notice that I used the word impression since your observation of it frames how you perceive the world.
This act of observing something—this framing of our experiences—highlights how we perceive our struggles. The same bias of struggle is apparent in the perception of aging. While many people seem to accept aging as an inevitable decline, modern science and personal choices demonstrate that we have more influence over our health than we believe. We fail to concede that we can slow the aging process by regularly tending to our health. Suddenly, instead of being victims to the forces of life, we can decelerate the rate at which we age to live richer and fuller lives.
How Challenges Shape Who We Become
“The tests of life are not to break you but to awaken you.” —Agni Yoga Teachings.
Life offers moments of bliss when we least expect them, often in the form of unwavering dedication to our passion. For instance, when we fall in love or commit ourselves to serving others, our struggles seem to fade into the background. As you know, life doesn’t come with a user’s manual since we make it up as we go along. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have it any other way; the joy of overcoming is more rewarding and part of the human condition. Life is willing to offer you so much or so little, and you decide whether you are eager to receive it. Sometimes, it provides us with heartache, pain, emotional trauma, and moments of anguish. This contrasts with the delight of witnessing your child’s birth or celebrating personal victories.
Even though heartbreak can feel unbearable, have you noticed how it creates a vacuum that love can fill? Similarly, the pain of failure fuels our hunger for success. Life doesn’t separate struggle from joy; it intertwines them—like night and day—thereby giving meaning to the other. Can you think of a time when your pain and suffering guided you to something surprisingly beautiful? What if all the struggles you’ve faced have led you toward something greater than the pain you associate with it? Pain exists to give rise to pleasure. The principles of duality, contrast, and paradox work harmoniously; Yin energy complements Yang energy.
Therefore, this interchange of opposing forces, what some might call a dance of duality, shapes our life’s journey. Life is often likened to a journey, for the experiences we undertake have a lasting impact on our lives. Those moments of bliss or episodes of agony remain a central focal point long after the experience has passed. We mustn’t assume that life will conform to our desires at a moment’s notice. Instead, we should allow life to flow through us unimpeded. We do so by remaining receptive to what shows up, even if we believe otherwise.
Without the drama and the struggle, life would serve no function. The purpose of life is to create itself anew within each moment. Through chaos, life is born, which serves as the impulse for the creative expression of life. We see this application apparent throughout nature. Diamonds are formed under intense pressure, heat, and agitation. The turbulent weather patterns eventually recede, giving way to the welcoming spring and autumn months. We look forward to these seasons rather than take them for granted. Imagine if we had one season for all twelve months of the year. There would be little to appreciate in terms of the contrasting weather changes. Contrast emerges in nature, allowing us to experience diverse realities.
Life’s profound meaning is revealed through the intertwining of opposite experiences. Just as diamonds are formed under pressure, seasonal changes bring a sense of renewal. What if we moved toward our challenges with the same perspective? Nothing in life remains permanent since pain flows through us when we allow it to pass instead of resisting it. Instead of viewing life as a series of never-ending dramas, appreciate that each challenge guides you to unearth your deepest wisdom. The same intelligence responsible for the rhythm of nature also operates within you, yet not always in ways you expect.
Considering this, I invite you to reframe your perception of life. Begin to see obstacles not as a series of punishments but as gateways toward lasting transformation. Write in your journal about a current challenge and identify three potential gifts that you can see. Share your insights with someone who could benefit from your outlook. Ultimately, you decide how to interpret your struggles—whether as burdens or as stepping stones to powerful transformation. The same intelligence that moves the tides and seasons also flows through you. So, how will you embrace your challenges differently, starting now?
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life with Confidence?
Are you ready to transform your life and unlock your potential? Start your journey with me today! My Life Coaching Program has empowered many to achieve lasting change. Schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation now and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident you.
Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach
