Compass for 'How to Live' Vol. 77

Let's try changing our perspective on 'hardships'.

Hello everyone! This is paper counselor Yoshiyuki.

First of all, Kishakoku-sensei featured my previous article.

Kishakoku-sensei, thank you as always for the introduction!

Now, this time, the topic is about changing how we view 'hardships'.

Hardships are something everyone would want to avoid if possible, right? Who would willingly welcome hardship?

However, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl stated the following: 'What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.'

What do you feel from these words?

You know, we usually feel that hardships are 'unpleasant'. I feel that way too.

But let's think about it carefully. If you write letters or draw pictures on black paper with a black pen, you can't see anything.

On black paper, what's easiest to see is something written with a white pen. If it's a bright color, it's easier to see, right?

It's the same with this. If life were only full of fun things, what would happen?

I'm sure that happiness might become invisible.

So, perhaps hardships exist so that we can feel happiness. Isn't it because of hardships that people can feel happiness more deeply?

And perhaps it's because of hardships that we realize we can be grateful for many things.

If there were no hardships, can we say for sure that our feelings of gratitude wouldn't fade away?

I think there are people right now who are surrounded by hardships and finding it difficult to live. I think there are even people who don't have the luxury of reading an article like this.

If someone like that is near you, I want you to tell them...

It's tough being surrounded by hardships, isn't it? But those hardships can sometimes lead to feelings of gratitude. And those feelings of gratitude lead to true joy and a sense of purpose in life.

Without hardships, those things become invisible. It might be tough right now, but if you can overcome it, you will surely be able to get closer to true happiness. It cultivates a heart that won't be deceived by 'false happiness' like 'not having to work' or 'being able to live in luxury'.

Will you let difficulties be something truly unpleasant, or will you turn them into fuel for your life?
I suppose it depends on how you view those difficulties.

Fundamentally, nothing has inherent meaning; if people assign meaning and their hearts react to it, then the way we assign meaning is up to each individual.
If you're going to do it anyway, why not assign a meaning that allows you to live happily?
That, too, is one of the important elements of your happiness.

This time, we talked about changing how you view 'difficulties'.

Thank you for staying with me until the end.

We have received some 'happy news!' We are grateful for everyone's warm support. Thank you all so much, as always!