I remember the crack game as well. Lava was a popular imaginary pitfall linked to the cracks.
Your words highlight for me how much good conversation and wisdom is rooted in dancing with problems. They seem to be the spice of existence, don't they?
This is the best pick-me-up of my week, Bernadette. Thank you. It is a positive reframing of what problems are good for.
I’m having trouble locating which of the Stoics to attribute this thought to, but it goes something like, “There is no man more pitiable than one who has never undergone adversity, because he will die never knowing what his true character is or what he was capable of.”
Similarly, I came across this one from Seneca the Younger:
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”
In my own experience, it is only within the crucible of testing that I find out what I truly believe in and which of my professed values I will suffer for.
I avoided cracks in the pavement as a child as well. Isn't it interesting that even then we saw cracks as problems- until we grow wiser and learn of Kintsugi.
This also serves as a great reminder that the obstacle is the way.
'Which leads me to say, avoid your cracks, avoid your light.'
And what I meant was, I can see how people who have lost faith, whether it be in themselves, justice, God or love could find it hard to see that light.
“These aren’t just obstacles to get past on the way to what matters. They are the making of us.” 💕💕💕
Have you ever looked back with hindsight and discovered how a particular challenge shaped you, Kellie?
Yes challenging situations are often the stories I write about 💕
I remember the crack game as well. Lava was a popular imaginary pitfall linked to the cracks.
Your words highlight for me how much good conversation and wisdom is rooted in dancing with problems. They seem to be the spice of existence, don't they?
When you think about it, quite a few of your stories have their roots in here, Michael. :)
Yup! I'd say most to all of them! Haha.
This is the best pick-me-up of my week, Bernadette. Thank you. It is a positive reframing of what problems are good for.
I’m having trouble locating which of the Stoics to attribute this thought to, but it goes something like, “There is no man more pitiable than one who has never undergone adversity, because he will die never knowing what his true character is or what he was capable of.”
Similarly, I came across this one from Seneca the Younger:
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”
In my own experience, it is only within the crucible of testing that I find out what I truly believe in and which of my professed values I will suffer for.
Ah, I'm glad this resonated with you, Gary. I needed to hear it this week too.
Thank you for the reminder that this in ancient wisdom that we can lean on in testing times.
This feels important to bookmark.
'... it is only within the crucible of testing that I find out what I truly believe in and which of my professed values I will suffer for.'
You might enjoy a little book titled Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly, by Scottish economist John Kay.
Oh, that sounds interesting, James. Thanks for the tip.
How has the book helped you?
I avoided cracks in the pavement as a child as well. Isn't it interesting that even then we saw cracks as problems- until we grow wiser and learn of Kintsugi.
This also serves as a great reminder that the obstacle is the way.
I know you've lived this, my friend. How do you think faith does and doesn't play a part in the ability to do that.
I think I have an idea of how faith plays a part in the ability to do that, and I’m curious what you mean by a way faith doesn’t play a part?
To answer how it does, I would say faith says “I believe that even in the cracks there is beauty.”
Reminds me of lyric “there is a crack in everything that’s how the light gets in”.
Which leads me to say, avoid your cracks, avoid your light.
Beautiful, Mandell.
'Which leads me to say, avoid your cracks, avoid your light.'
And what I meant was, I can see how people who have lost faith, whether it be in themselves, justice, God or love could find it hard to see that light.
I still love a flag stone pavement ... perfect opportunity to avoid the lines (Aged 50)
"They are the making of us." Yes indeed!
'Avoiding the pitfalls since 1975.' :)
Haha. Climbing outta pitfalls since 1975
T-shirt worthy. :)