LIFE IS DIFFICULT
LIFE IS DIFFICULT
In Scott Peck’s remarkable book; “The Road Less Traveled,” first published in 1978, he opens with the now famous line; “Life is difficult.” He then goes on to say; “this is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult --- once we truly understand and accept it --- then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”
Life it seems is an endless series of problems that have to be solved and Peck goes on to say that “what makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving these problems is a painful one.” We all know only too well some of the emotions we feel when attempting to solve problems, feelings such as; anger, frustration, anxiety, sadness, fear, grief and regret.
There is a Double Edge to Solving Problems
It is Scott Peck’s contention that the process of meeting and solving problems is in fact how we derive meaning in our lives. We all know from experience that one often grows only when faced with challenges that must be overcome. It is in the process of solving problems that we find our courage and wisdom and in fact create our courage and wisdom and in so doing grow emotionally and spiritually. That then is the double edge, pain offset by personal growth.
There’s more, Peck goes on to say that the answer to solving life’s problems is the practice of discipline. When we teach ourselves and our children discipline, we are teaching them and ourselves how to suffer and also how to grow.
The practice of discipline requires a number of tools or techniques for what he calls suffering: delaying gratification (scheduling the pain first in order to enhance the pleasurable feeling later), acceptance of responsibility (owning the problem), dedication to the truth (seeing reality), and balancing (the flexibility to maintain balance between your emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual self).
A critically important point in all of this discussion is that if one attempts to avoid the pain and emotional suffering associated with life’s problems this becomes the primary basis for mental illness. I have to admit to occasionally avoiding, at least for a little while, some of my life’s problems and in that avoidance behaviour experience what is affectionately called neurosis. All of us at times, are a little bit neurotic. Carl Jung, famed Swiss psychologist stated that; “neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering.” Just be careful not to be labeled something else because you are not prepared to suffer!
~James Ladd
LIFE IS DIFFICULT - To learn more about this author, visit James Ladd's Website.
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M. Scott Peck (1936-2005)
In Scott Peck’s remarkable book; “The Road Less Traveled,” first published in 1978, he opens with the now famous line; “Life is difficult.” He then goes on to say; “this is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult --- once we truly understand and accept it --- then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”
Life it seems is an endless series of problems that have to be solved and Peck goes on to say that “what makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving these problems is a painful one.” We all know only too well some of the emotions we feel when attempting to solve problems, feelings such as; anger, frustration, anxiety, sadness, fear, grief and regret.
There is a Double Edge to Solving Problems
It is Scott Peck’s contention that the process of meeting and solving problems is in fact how we derive meaning in our lives. We all know from experience that one often grows only when faced with challenges that must be overcome. It is in the process of solving problems that we find our courage and wisdom and in fact create our courage and wisdom and in so doing grow emotionally and spiritually. That then is the double edge, pain offset by personal growth.
There’s more, Peck goes on to say that the answer to solving life’s problems is the practice of discipline. When we teach ourselves and our children discipline, we are teaching them and ourselves how to suffer and also how to grow.
The practice of discipline requires a number of tools or techniques for what he calls suffering: delaying gratification (scheduling the pain first in order to enhance the pleasurable feeling later), acceptance of responsibility (owning the problem), dedication to the truth (seeing reality), and balancing (the flexibility to maintain balance between your emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual self).
A critically important point in all of this discussion is that if one attempts to avoid the pain and emotional suffering associated with life’s problems this becomes the primary basis for mental illness. I have to admit to occasionally avoiding, at least for a little while, some of my life’s problems and in that avoidance behaviour experience what is affectionately called neurosis. All of us at times, are a little bit neurotic. Carl Jung, famed Swiss psychologist stated that; “neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering.” Just be careful not to be labeled something else because you are not prepared to suffer!
~James Ladd
LIFE IS DIFFICULT - To learn more about this author, visit James Ladd's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
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| In Scott Peck’s remarkable book; “The Road Less Traveled,” first published in 1978, he opens with the now famous line; “Life is difficult.” He then goes on to say; “this is a great truth because once we truly see th... |
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Joe Dager is President of Business901, a progressive coaching company providing no-nonsense direction in areas such as Lean marketing and organized referral marketing. What others say: In the past 20 years, Joe and I have collaborated on many difficult issues. Joe’s ability to combine his expertise with “out of the box” thinking is unsurpassed. He has always delivered quickly, cost effectively and with ingenuity. A brilliant mind that is always a pleasure to work with.” - James R. If you want to learn more about Business901, start a conversation with us. We can be found @ Web/Blog: http://www.business901.com Web/Blog: http://www.FundingYourNonprofit.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/business901 – Linked In http://www.twitter.com/business901 – Twitter - Visit Joe Dager's Website |
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Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
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George LudwigGeorge Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website |
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![]() James Ladd (Visit James's Website) JAMES LADD B.A., C.H.R.P., C.P.I.R. Life & Business Coach, author and speaker, who has without a doubt been down the "Road Less Traveled," having survived and thrived after a double lung transplant in August of 2003. Jim comes to this place in his incredible life journey with a dynamic combination of work and life experience. Jim worked as an Organizational & Human Resource Development Specialist for over 35 years in the private, public & non-profit sectors and also managed a provincial government employee assistance program serving over 15,000 employees. He has authored and facilitated a wide variety of training programs covering such diverse topics as; managing organizational change, conflict resolution, performance management, managing and/or coping with stress, interviewing & counseling skills, supervisory & management skills. His most recent publication titled; "THE PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION GUIDE: Raising Awareness of Self to Slay the Dragon," is available through his website. In the community he became an award winning football coach over the course of 25 years (Coach of the Year 3M of Canada, Coach of the Year, Developmental Category, Coaches Assoc. of Manitoba
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