Issue No. 79

There are no shortcuts in life, and if there were, they come with dire consequences. Want to earn money quickly? Sure, you could scam or steal. But the consequence? Years in jail and a ruined reputation. Want to lose weight fast? You could starve yourself or take dangerous supplements. The result? Damage to your health that could last a lifetime. Want instant success? Cut corners or take unethical shortcuts. In the end, you lose your reputation, relationships, or perhaps worse—you achieve a hollow, meaningless version of success that leaves you unfulfilled.

Many people who experience rapid success tend to lose it just as fast—lottery winners, reality TV millionaires, gambling addicts. They all share a similar fate: eventual failure. Why? Because they took the easiest path. They didn’t put in the effort, gain the wisdom, or develop the skills necessary to hold on to that success. As the saying goes, “Easy come, easy go.” True success requires a solid foundation, one built over time with effort, patience, and persistence.

The best things in life don’t come easily for a reason: they shape us in the process. Every struggle, every failure, and every small victory builds something deeper within us—resilience, character, and wisdom. These things can’t be rushed or bypassed. They are forged in the fires of life’s challenges. And that’s what makes them so valuable.

Have you ever seen a hero in fiction who didn’t endure suffering? Even those born into wealth and privilege, like Ironman, faced tremendous hardship. Tony Stark may have had money, but his parents were killed, and he nearly died while imprisoned in a cave. He had to use his mind and will to survive and transform his life. Batman, another wealthy character, witnessed his parents’ murder as a child, and that tragedy fueled his entire journey. Even characters like Harry Potter, who had magic on their side, faced incredible loss, isolation, and danger. He lost loved ones, faced death countless times, and carried the burden of being ‘the chosen one.’ These stories resonate with us because they reflect a universal truth: growth comes from struggle.

In real life, it’s no different. Challenges are the forge in which we are tempered. Without hardship, without suffering, there’s no opportunity to learn just how strong or capable we are. Pain, failure, and setbacks aren’t roadblocks; they are stepping stones on the path to becoming someone greater. They force us to dig deep, to adapt, to evolve. Without them, we would never know our true potential.

Of course, it’s human nature to want to avoid suffering. No one wants to go through hardship. That’s why many people settle for mediocrity—they’d rather be comfortable than chase something that requires effort and uncertainty. They’d rather stay in their safe zone than risk failure. But is comfort really living? Do we call this life, or is it just existing? Is it better to be comfortable or to be truly happy?

For some, comfort is the goal because happiness is expensive. True happiness requires something from us—sacrifice, humility, self-awareness. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves, to admit our limitations, and to grow. Even happiness has no shortcuts.

When I was a kid, happiness was simple—a new book or a cool science kit could light up my world. In high school, happiness was flirting with girls, feeling that rush of excitement. In college, it was earning good grades and the validation that came with them. After graduation, happiness became finding a decent job with a steady income, something that could support me and give me some sense of security. But now, at this point in my life, happiness is about stability—having a predictable and sustainable lifestyle. I know my idea of happiness will continue to evolve as I get older, which is why I’ve stopped chasing it so hard.

These days, I try to live in the moment as much as I can, even though the future constantly looms ahead, reminding me of all I have yet to do. Or maybe, I should reframe it like this: I get to do more things. I have opportunities ahead of me, not burdens.

It’s all about perspective. It’s about finding the courage to keep moving forward, even when things get tough. The only way out of these difficulties in life is through them, not around them. And when you finally push through the darkness, when you reach the other side and the light comes, you’ll appreciate the journey. You’ll look back and see how far you’ve come, and you’ll be proud of the person you’ve become.

PS. Important announcement below.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working on an app called Audiosmith. It’s an AI that sounds human and talks to you about your day, helping you make sense of your thoughts. It records and transcribes the conversation, analyzing it for mental health indicators like anxiety or depression.

I believe writing is therapeutic, but not everyone knows how to start. With Audiosmith, you just talk, and it handles the writing for you. Over time, it collects these conversations, builds a memory of your life, and helps you notice what areas you might be overlooking. It’s like having a friend to talk to or vent to anytime.

The goal was to create something simple for journaling, but more importantly, something that addresses mental health. Therapy can be costly, and not everyone can access it. Audiosmith offers an alternative, even for those who just want to keep an eye on their mental well-being on a day-to-day basis.

Visit our website to join early access: https://audiosmith.me

We are launching the beta app in early November to a limited number of users.

Until next week,