365 Days With Self-Discipline: 365 Life-Altering Thoughts on Self-Control, Mental Resilience, and Success

Day 55: On Bearing Misfortunes Nobl y

Remember too on every occasion which leads thee to vexation to apply

this principle: not that this is a misfortune, but that to bear it nobly is good

fortune.

—Marcus Aurelius

 

52

Hardships  are  a  part  of  life  and  while  nobody  (with  the  exception  of

masochists)  enjoys  pain,  they  can  be  valuable  because  they  present  an

opportunity for personal growth.

I like to say that you discover how deep your self-discipline goes when

you struggle, and not when everything goes well.

You  aren’t  self-disciplined  because  you  worked  hard  when  you  were

fired up to work. You’re self-disciplined when you continue to work hard

when the last thing you want to do is work.

You  aren’t  self-disciplined  because  you  can’t  afford  candy,  so  you

don’t  eat  it.  You  exhibit  self-control  when  you  deny  the  treats  that  are

offered  freely  to  you,  for  example  when  you’re  at  a  party  with  a  buffet

selection of high-calorie snacks.

You aren’t self-disciplined when you wake up early in the morning to

work on your new business. You’re self-disciplined when you still wake up

early in the morning when it seems that your business is going nowhere.

Misfortunes  aren’t  fun  to  deal  with,  but  bearing  them  nobly

strengthens your ability to handle even worse circumstances in the future.

In a sense, trials and tribulations are like training. You may not enjoy it, but

you  know  that  eventually  it  will  pay  off  and  more  than  recoup  for  any

suffering you’re going through at the moment.

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