Learn To Bear Hardship
“What we cannot bear removes us from life. What remains can be borne.”
—Marcus Aurelius
Meditations
This is a reminder that life is a natural process of selection, where only those challenges that we can handle stay with us, while the truly insurmountable ones—those beyond our capacity to endure—might remove us from the playing field altogether.
Consider, for a moment, the everyday struggles you face. Aren't they proof that you're still here, still engaged in the game of life? If you're dealing with stress at work, managing personal conflicts, or just trying to keep up with your daily routine, take heart—these are your bearable battles, the signs that you are inherently equipped to overcome them.
Now think about how recognizing this inherent strength can affect your approach to obstacles. Rather than viewing difficulties as burdens to dread, try seeing them as tailored challenges that you are more than capable of handling. They are, in essence, a measure of your potential.
Next time you feel overwhelmed, pause and ask yourself: if I'm still here facing this, might it be something I can bear after all? This shift in perspective doesn't diminish the struggle, but empowers you to have the courage to endure, adapt, and thrive against the backdrop of life's innumerable tests.
Marcus invites us to recalibrate our view of life's trials not as mere hardship, but as affirmation of our enduring spirit.