Issue No. 45

Everything valuable in your life requires something in return. Earning a degree demands years of study. A comfortable life necessitates hard work. A loving family depends on financial and emotional stability. A successful romantic relationship requires maturity, while financial freedom involves navigating trials and failures to discover effective strategies. A healthy body demands daily discipline in your diet and exercise routine. These things have requirements because they are not granted at birth; they are accessible but require active effort to attain. Often, this means making sacrifices—of time, money, or even sanity. If you pursue only what is expedient, you may end up suffering from regret, hoping it’s not too late to start over.

As I've aged, I've come to see suffering not as my enemy but as my teacher. Consider what philosophers of the past would teach us if they hadn’t experienced suffering or observed it in others. Have you ever encountered an inspirational story from a famous figure that centered solely on happiness and fun? The essence of inspirational stories often includes significant pain and suffering. We are moved by those who overcome adversity because such triumphs are rare. A hero’s journey typically involves being thrust into a new world, facing daunting challenges, and, through these trials, discovering true strength and ultimately becoming a superhero. This narrative arc, tested by time, mirrors humanity’s quest for deeper meaning—a quest that cannot be fulfilled through minimal effort. Thus, do not be surprised when larger dreams demand greater sacrifices. Before setting a goal, consider the sacrifices it entails.

I believe the greatest sacrifice is time. I often stress this in my writings, partly as a reminder of my finite existence. While money spent can be doubled in future earnings and lost sanity can be restored with rest, time spent is irrecoverable. Even in sleep, time passes. It is never refunded or regained. So, ask yourself, what is the value of your time? Is it spent on trivial matters like idle gossip or aimless browsing, or is it invested in nurturing a healthy body, mind, and spirit?

Achieving wealth is undoubtedly challenging, but a life of poverty presents even more difficulties. Having a fit and healthy body is difficult but having a disease is also difficult. Cleaning your house is difficult, but having a dirty house that costs your focus and peace is also difficult. Studying is difficult so is repeating your class. Living is difficult, and so is dying without knowing your potential. Which type of ‘difficult’ will you choose? Everything has a cost. Accept the cost now, make sacrifices, and harvest the fruit of your labor later, or borrow comfort from your future now and face the consequences later. It’s your choice. And may your choices show you the right way. Good luck.

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Until next week,