Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

 
I’ve been thinking about the benefits of hardship lately. I naturally waffle between choosing the harder way and striving for a “more gentle life” (as Tom puts it). I recently read, or rather, listened to, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell. I highly recommend the book. I love Gladwell’s writing style, and find his subject matter fascinating. This book, like Outliers, left me with LOTS of food for thought. But perhaps the take home message for me was this: don’t avoid hardship, and don’t create an atmosphere where your children are protected from challenge and difficulty. Overcoming challenge is invigorating and builds confidence. The realization that one is stronger, smarter, more capable than one knew brings euphoria. Trials are part of life, learning to use them to our benefit is the goal. It reminds me of a tenant of the “Positive Discipline” school of thought- celebrate mistakes as an opportunity to learn. This idea has been life changing for me- as cliche as that may sound. I’ve slowly become less hard on myself, more willing to lay the past aside and look to the future. I’ve become more patient with Scotland’s foibles, teaching him- “It’s okay to spill your milk, you just have to clean it up.” I’ve turned to my Savior more, admitting weakness, and seeking strength. When you’re hit with hardship you have two choices, let it sink you, or figure out how to rebuild. And when a building is rebuilt after a storm, it is almost always stronger.
While listening to David and Goliath I have also been reading The Infinite Atonement by Tad Callister. (I also highly recommend this book.) The book talks of the importance of “The Fall” Adam and Eve’s choice to partake of the forbidden fruit, and thereby be removed from the garden. There are varying interpretations of this event, but I believe that Eve’s choice was one of strength, wisdom, and selflessness. She knew that without partaking of the fruit she could not bare children. And family was her desire. She also knew that her choice would remove her from the idyllic, peaceful, carefree living environment that she was then enjoying. She knew that without hardship, without trial, she could not reach her full potential. And so she ate, and now we  are all opportune to the same “wilderness” of difficulty. The same potential for growth.
I like the gentle life. I avoid hardship. I prefer to stay in my comfort zone. But, looking to Eve, I have been inspired to seek progression through sacrifice and difficulty.