Sometimes in the world of self-improvement, ‘being amazing’ all the time is put on a pedestal, and there can be an avoidance of the suffering, a defiance that comes with real growth because it is too messy and painful—especially having to see the truth of our flawed self.
Often this resistance will cause more pain or suffering, as the lesson we need to learn in becoming ‘more’ of ourselves becomes a much more arduous journey. We don’t allow the natural flow of life and living. It becomes an exercise in micromanaging how we are and how we look to others.
No matter how much resistance I offer, the lesson will continue being presented to me until I finally quit resisting and go through the challenge, no matter how ugly. When I hold out against that growth, the lessons get more unpleasant and painful each time.
We lay down a foundation of growth and development during our downtimes, suffering, and difficulties. Self-education and improvement is not a thing to help us avoid difficult times. Self-improvement provides us with the tools to move through our next round of challenging experiences with more dignity and grace. It helps us identify what could be helpful and what might not be.
If you don’t resist the process, there will be much less friction, and you will traverse the path more swiftly.