I was having a conversation with a good friend, Rod, the other day. We were talking about the importance of walking through flames in life. He said something that hit me, “We’re worthless without heartache.” I told him I was definitely going to share that in a post and give him credit. So, thanks Rod!
That is such a profound but simple statement. Everything valuable goes through serious pressure like diamonds, is refined by fire like silver, or has endured childhoods like Eminem in order to one day find greatness. (You don’t have to be a fan of the rapper to recognize the fact that he’s one of the most successful people in music history. You also don’t have to like diamonds but that’s not changing the price-tag attached to them at Tiffany’s.)
ALL things of value require a journey through Hell to get there. Not a single person to know achievement has not also been very well acquainted with heartache. That’s just part of the process. If you’re attempting to achieve something meaningful, dig your heels in and prepare for the winds of dismay, disarray, and discouragement that come full-force with only the objective to knock you on your ass. And keep you there.
Getting up again is what we all know you gotta do but it sucks because you feel like you do it a million times before you finally see any breakthrough. When you’ve fallen the hardest and it seems like getting up is everything but possible, that’s when your serious breakthrough is just within arms-reach. That’s also about the time that everyone quits. Not everyone can take it. If everyone could, everyone would and everyone would be doctors and have millions of dollars. But obviously if everyone had those things, those things would hold no value. I can’t go outside and just pick up a rock and expect it to hold the same worth and value as a precious stone that is rare.
It’s the quality of having something rare that gives it value. You getting up after having the shit kicked out of you is evidence of having that which is rare. The result of holding such a desirable trait is experiencing a life that is also desirable. And rare. Remember, most people give up. It’s rare and unique for those that don’t. Because of this, they enjoy a rare and unique life experience.
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