To do — or not

A friend of mine recently commented that success often moves us further away from the hopes so many of us talk regularly about — the wish that things would get easier (slower, chiller, kinder, more satisfying). Setting goals and achieving them almost always means greater complexity, more to do, bigger problems to solve. Seems like the more we succeed, the harder we work. Maybe not always, but certainly often.

I’ve been pondering this, and the nature of striving in general, for anything, jobs, creative expression, security... Like so many, I also long for things to ‘slow down a bit,’ or at least not be so hard all the time.

I heard a phrase, years ago, I’ve never forgotten: “Comfort wants you dead.” Rest and quiet and rejuvenation are essential to a healthy, joyful life of course, but there’s a risk that comes with too much ease. Adversity gives us clarity and determination. Limitations can drive innovation. Often when something is hard, it’s a sign that it’s good, too. Running a marathon, mastering an instrument, writing a book.

I don’t really have a big takeaway, but I will say this: I’d rather be working. Not all the time, of course, but I’d rather be on foot with a backpack than at the resort. I’d rather go for a run than take a nap. I’d rather fail at trying to create something awesome than not start at all, even if it took lot of my time.

My personal challenge might be to remember to rest enough, and I already know that one of my biggest pitfalls is to not spend enough time with other people. Still, I’d like to think that trying hard, never giving up, and not being afraid of discomfort is part of what makes life good, no matter what else is going on in the world. I’m certainly not claiming that I live out any of the virtues I just listed well. All I’m saying is that, for better or worse, I intend to die with my boots on.