There is only one road to human greatness: through the school of hard knocks.~Albert Einstein
The School of Hard Knocks is riddled with lessons that can cause us to stumble, lose faith in ourselves and nosedive into despair, in order to impart on us the wisdom these teachings bestow. There may be days when we totally miss the mark of our intended goals, resulting in massive failures, or nights when we are so filled with self-doubt, we become our own worst critic. We can let these hardships break us, or strengthen us. The choice is always ours to make.
The School of Hard Knocks teaches us about values and reveals the true meaning of life. These lessons often require us to reassess our lives, decipher what we cherish most and make those things a priority. It teaches us that if we want change, we need to put in the work. This may entail expanding our perspective, exploring new avenues, processing our pain or taking a deep dive into ourselves to get clear about who we actually are and what we truly want. We are never owed success or happiness in life - in work, relationships or personal ventures - we must invest in the journey, grow from our poor choices and move with a sense of purpose.
In a nutshell, the School of Hard Knocks is an accelerated course that requires grit, determination and resilence to make it through. Since our walk is uniquely our own, there aren't any shortcuts or cheat sheets that someone can hand us to lessen the impact of our challenges. It is THROUGH the struggle that we uncover the answers we need. The wisdom gained from these hard knock lessons are boundless, often emerging from the following types of circumstances:
FAILURE - Failure is always a growth opportunity. It helps sharpen our instincts, teaches us humility and the benefits of admitting when we're wrong. When we fail, we find out what we're truly made of. We can view it as a setback and let it ruin us, or we can own our mistakes, grab the lessons and bravely fail forward. Failure doesn't define us. We've all failed at something and probably will again. It's what we do with it that really matters.
DEEP SEATED FEAR - Fear is at the root of all dysfunction. It can cause us to become stagnant, rigid, depressed, bitter and lodged in the past. In other words, stuck in a rut. Facing our fears, walking out of our self-imposed prisons and learning new ways of being, enables us to drop the baggage that is weighing us down. Letting go of what no longer serves us, and everything that we no longer use, need or love lightens our load. It sets us free and bolsters our ability to alter course when necessary and adapt to change. Processing fear grants us the courage to move on from the past and live life to the fullest right now.
HAVING TO WAIT - Instant gratification doesn't grow us. When we have to wait or work hard for the things we want, we appreciate them so much more. In the process, we learn patience - for ourselves, for others and for the goals we wish to accomplish in life. Mastering patience creates inner peace. Inner peace empowers us to live purposely and consciously.
CONFLICT - Disagreements are a natural part of life. It is the way in which we deal with them, that matters most. Rather than cultivating anger, stress and frustration, conflicts can be an effective stimulus for growth and improvement. By dealing with conflicts constructively, we enhance self-awareness. Meaning that, conflict encourages an honest examination of our own views, attitudes and behaviors, providing an ideal opportunity for personal expansion. Through this journey of introspection, we learn to respond rather than react; to think before we speak; to listen more attentively and to sense when silence is the best retort.
HITTING ROCK BOTTOM - Of all the experiences in life, hitting rock bottom is the one that teaches us the most about ourselves. It shows us how strong we are. Unfortunately, we don't grow much from contentment. We grow from heartache and challenge. These hard knock moments are often triggered by a loss of some sort. Loss teaches us about the value of things and the fragility of life. Whether it's a house fire, death or the ending of a relationship, there's a special transitional place in loss, where we learn to surrender and embrace what is truly meaningful. Hitting rock bottom means facing ourselves and processing our pain, regret and shame. This internal groundwork teaches us responsibility, courage, humility, empathy and empowerment. Through what is often considered our darkest hour, we uncover penetrating and enlightening insights about who we actually are. It is during these excruciating times in life; when we are at our most vulnerable, that we finally get real with ourselves. Rock bottom is the solid foundation on which to rebuild our lives.
The difference between school and life? In school you're taught a lesson, then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.~Tom Bodett