The Beauty Is in the Struggle

Louis Sykes
September 7, 2022

From the Desk of Louis Sykes @haumicharts

Recently I've been listening to a wider variety of music than I have in the past. It's by design.

Each week, I've assigned myself a little goal to listen to a new album. I set aside a few hours to actively listen and immerse myself in the music -- to relax, of course, but also to consider the themes and overall messages artists are trying to convey.

It's been fun, and I'm enjoying it immensely. And it's also helped me become a better writer and opened my outlook on life more broadly.

Music is powerful. I can't imagine life without it. And one particular track from my personal list of top 10 classic hip hop pieces of all time has been stuck in my head all day.

The entire "2014 Forest Hills Drive" album documents J. Cole's life. It begins with his birth, transitions to him hustling his way into and up the industry, and leads to his chase for fame and money.

The album's penultimate song, "Love Yourz," is about self-acceptance and his refusal to front for the illusion of fortune.

Everybody struggles, at different stages and with greater or lesser hardship. But it's common. And there's something in it, if you're trying to pay attention, that can change you into a better, more fulfilled human.

Indeed, struggle and suffering are integral to being human. It's the essence of that feeling of "appreciation": understanding the work it takes to change your circumstances and put yourself in a better position.

By trial and tribulation we get in touch with gratitude. And more trial and more tribulation makes us more determined to do what we love. 

That's how we grow.  And it's perfectly acceptable to get knocked down. It's also perfectly acceptable to have no idea what happened, immediately. It's like learning to ride a bike: We'd never learn without the occasional bumps and grazes.

Trading is no different.

The market tests us all in unique ways.

Some of us grind our way out of monster drawdowns before learning the tenets of risk management. Others blow up multiple accounts.

That it's all part of the process does not mean we accept defeat. It's progress to a point where disappointments roll off our shoulders.

It's only a mistake if you don't learn something from the suffering. A big part of that is taking responsibility to prevent our shortcomings from impeding our future success.

Struggle makes the reward all the sweeter.

Still, success can be ugly too. Security and comfort can make you lazy and strip you of ambition. That's complacency.

When you're struggling, you're dragging yourself higher. There is never "failure." And then you're on another level of work ethic because you can't do anything but succeed.

People think they see all you're capable of, and then you exceed those measures. Even if it seems like there's no getting out, your hustle distinguishes you.

The trappings -- money, houses, cars -- can bring a certain level of happiness. After a specific point, though, the returns diminish.

The beauty is in the process of success.

Embrace the struggle.

 

 

 

 

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