Normalize Struggle

This process of transmigrating from one body to another and struggling while in the body is called karṣati, or struggle for existence.

Srila Prabhupada

I was catching up with a friend via Whatsapp messages today and I accidentally hit send on something I was meant to backspace. It said “haha I’m mostly struggling”

A Freudian slip is a verbal error that you may make while speaking or writing. It's commonly known as a slip of the tongue. (in this case, a slip of the thumb) In colloquial terms, it's when you unintentionally blurt out something different from what you originally intended to say. (in this case it was the thing I originally wanted to say)

His reply made me glad I hit send. Being authentic is always best because it’s real and reality is the best place to live.

Anyway he said something that I want to share with you all. He said I think it’s best that we struggle because it keeps us humble. This world isnt suppose to be our home. it isnt supposed to be comfortable. You just have to get used to the struggle, normalize it.

I think the way to normalize struggle is by talking about it, sharing authentically about it.

I was listening to an audio book recently and it said something like “noone wants to hear about your problems, always try to be positive”. While that’s probably true, noone wants to hear about your fake perfect life either.

I believe the measure of a man is the size of the problems he’s struggling with.

My favorite quote on the topic of struggle is by my spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. He was asked what pleased him the most and what he said surprised his followers. He said “What pleases me the most is to see my students struggling to be Krsna conscious”

What I take from this is struggle shows we’re trying our best and that’s the best we can do. That’s what pleases God.

I used to wonder often “am I trying my best?” I think the best answer to this is that you know you’re trying your best when you’re struggling, you’re a little stretched outside your zone of ease.

My first job was at a fruit store and I’ll never forget when I was mopping and my boss said I should be sweating. I don’t sweat easy so I resented him for saying that but I think he had a fair point. Sweat is physical proof of the internal attitude of doing ones best at something.

Love to hear your thoughts on this