The way we move through life determines the kind of life we’ll have. If you sit back and let life pass without effort, it may feel as though everything is stacked against you. Life isn’t easy for anyone. Some people get lucky breaks, but that’s simply part of life. If you believe you never have luck, chances are you haven’t been paying attention—and you may be convincing yourself that the world is against you.
You may believe nothing was ever given to you and that life is unfair. But here’s the truth: if you want an easier life, you have to work hard. If you want a harder life, do nothing. The choice is yours.
If you view life as a game where effort earns rewards, you’ll likely feel more satisfied. No matter what, life is full of ups and downs. And even when you think things can’t get worse, sometimes they do.
When life gets tough, you can choose optimism—though that’s easier said than done. Sometimes it requires shifting your perspective. Hard times can become learning experiences, testing both your patience and your character. Your mindset shapes who you are in those moments. You can fight against the struggle, or you can embrace the lessons it brings.
Still, some events are catastrophic, and no matter how you look at them, nothing positive can be found. Death, a child’s life-threatening diagnosis, or losing your home to fire are examples. When these tragedies happen, nothing anyone says will change how unfair the world feels—and that response is valid, natural, and deeply human. Tragedy exists every day, and sometimes there is nothing good about it.
With time, reflection becomes possible. Questions like “What can be learned?” or “What can be prevented?” can bring meaning. As Ryan Holiday wrote, “there was always something to learn, always some virtue we could practice in light of a tragedy that would make us better, teach us something, help us see something.”
The next time you face a difficult situation, give yourself space to process it. Once some time has passed, look back and ask: What can I learn from this? Growth often hides in the places we least want to look.
Take care.