We are getting ready for post-season in wrestling. Everyone is a little banged up, which is usually the case this late in the season. I use this opportunity to talk about suffering, what it means to suffer, and its benefits.
Shane Parrish shared a quote in his recent blog about suffering by climber Elizabeth Rose:
“Suffering isn’t something I avoid. It’s something I love – I love what it brings, what’s on the other side of it. When we’re climbing Mt. Everest, we’re all suffering together, facing the same battle, chasing the same dream. Suffering makes the accomplishment that much more fulfilling.”
This is perfect! However, getting high school kids to see the benefits of suffering is difficult, at best. The “entitlement” mindset is something I have to address every week as a coach. Kids think they should be handed trophies for showing up! I wonder where they get that idea?
Society is making our youth weak; not just physically weak, but maybe worse, weak-minded. When things get difficult, it’s easy to quit because that’s the model society presents. Even as parents, we do this subconsciously. I’ve heard well-meaning parents say, “I don’t want my kids to have a hard life like I had.” There is a disconnect there, because it’s the hard things that make us tough. To get mentally tough, you have to do difficult things!
Suffering for the sake of suffering is insane. However, suffering for a cause makes it bearable, and suffering for a goal can even make it fun. When we have hard practices, we crank the music and get after it. Some of the kids like it, but there are many who just survive. Suffering is counter-cultural, but the benefits are enormous! The sky is the limit for someone who is willing to suffer a little bit to reach their goals.