A life cushioned by continuous prosperity can leave people ill-prepared for adversity.

If you are always comfortable, never facing challenges or hardship, your resilience may wither like a muscle that's never used. You've seen it, perhaps, in those around you or even in yourself—a small inconvenience or a minor setback triggers an outsized reaction, a meltdown over what, in the grand scheme of life, might be considered trivial.

It's like getting a paper cut and reacting as if you've broken a bone. But Seneca isn't advocating for a life of suffering; he's pointing out the hidden strength that can be forged in the fires of persistent trials.

Now, flip the script in your own life. When you're dealt a bad hand or face a string of difficulties, how do you respond? Are you quick to despair, or do you recognize that each challenge is an opportunity to become stronger?

Consider hardships as your personal trainer for the mind. Just as lifting weights builds physical muscle, dealing with difficulties can build mental and emotional resilience. This isn't about seeking out struggle, but rather, when life inevitably gets tough, embracing the chance to develop a more robust spirit.

So the next time you're faced with an obstacle, big or small, ask yourself: "How can this toughen me?"

Let every hardship sculpt your Stoic resolve, and you may just find that, over time, what used to shake you barely makes a ripple in your day.