What is the difference between a "hardship" and a "barrier on the path to one's mission"?

It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?

Hello.
I'm Satoru.

I'm more clumsy than the average person, so it's always taken me two or three times longer than others to learn anything. That's why I respect people who can grasp things quickly. Because of that, I've experienced many hardships and barriers until now. Maybe even now (bitter laugh).

From those experiences of mine, I've had a sudden thought.

"Hardships"
and
"barriers on the path to one's mission"

don't you think they are similar but different?

This is just my own opinion, but a "hardship" is genuinely painful, and no matter how far you go, your heart never feels at ease.

I apologize for the strange example, but in the early days of starting my business, my business partner ran away in the middle of the night, and I was saddled with a huge debt overnight.

I wrote about the full story in this article, so please read it later.

I spent many years paying that back, and it was painful and sad, and my heart never felt at ease. I can say for sure that was a "hardship".

However, in contrast, a "barrier on the path to one's mission" is something that, even if it's painful, makes you feel lighter and lighter as you move forward.

They are the same in that they are difficult, but they are completely different. Using the previous example, you might want to say that comparing paying off debt to a mission involves completely different motivations and feelings.

But you know, when you are struggling, these two things—"hardships" and "barriers on the path to one's mission"—are often all mixed up. You might not even realize it yourself.

In such times, even if others offer advice, it is often not understood. There is a good method for such moments. It is

Even when facing difficult situations, do not become obsessed with them or dig too deep into them.

・Is there a problem with the way I live?
・Is there really a place I am aiming for?
・Is my method wrong?
・Is my way of thinking wrong?
・Is there a problem in my past?
・Is it that I lack confidence?

Many people engage in self-analysis or deep digging like that, but thinking about it is just a waste. It is better to think about ways to move forward, even just a little, than to do that.

Then, you can immediately distinguish "hardships" that have nothing to do with your mission. They are endlessly heavy, those "hardships." Without projecting emotions onto them, just keep walking calmly until you can clear them. That is all there is to it. Just as I did when I paid off my debts (bitter laugh).

・Is there a problem with the way I live?
・Is there really a place I am aiming for?
・Is my method wrong?
・Is my way of thinking wrong?
・Is there a problem in my past?
・Is it that I lack confidence?

Do not do deep digging like that! Because that turns into obsession.

Rather than that, find your mission—or if "mission" feels too heavy, "purpose" is fine too. Finding that will keep your heart light even when you encounter difficult things.

Dieting is similar, isn't it? Exercising, restricting your diet... it's painful, right? But if you imagine yourself having lost weight and feeling refreshed, the pain just blows away, doesn't it?

Even if "hardships" are painful or difficult, just let them slide with a "well, it's fine"! This is the point.

A "barrier on the path to your mission" should hardly feel difficult at all, because the further you advance, the more you realize you are heading in the right direction! If anything, it feels comfortable.

Try comparing the two for a moment!
Just be careful not to mix them up. Mixing them is dangerous (lol).

Thank you for reading until the end.
See you again tomorrow!