We have all struggled in life and some of us may be struggling even now. Situations become tough to handle. And they are real issues – financial stress, loss of work, health problems and just coping with life. Not for a moment should we take away from the challenges and their intensity. But we can view our feeling of struggle differently.

We are forced to look beyond ourselves and seek help, advice and collaboration with others. Struggle fosters relationships.

We focus on the situation from all angles. We reflect on why we are faced with the situation and every time we don’t succeed we get new learnings. Struggle makes us insightful.

In a struggle there are times we almost let go after having tried our best. We don’t give up but let go. Struggle builds our faith.

We realise that even as we are struggling in one area of life, there are other aspects which we can move ahead with and do well for ourselves. Struggle redirects us.

We also realise that in spite of our challenge, there is still much in place. Struggle gives us a perspective and invokes our gratitude.

And when we give it our all, exhausted physically and emotionally, we magically find a newfound strength to carry on with a spirit and energy we never knew we had. Struggle connects us within.

And the road can be long and the goal a long climb away. But we know we have to succeed and move on, not just for our own sake but those who depend on us. Struggle builds patience and perseverance.

And when we do overcome and find our troubles behind us, if we are mindful, we learn not to take things for granted. Struggle makes us responsible.

And when in times of relative calm and prosperity when others approach us for help, we are reminded of what we went through and make ourselves fully available. Struggle makes us generous and empathetic.

And deep in our hearts we know we could never have done it alone. Struggle makes us humble.

A professor kept a chrysalis on the table and asked the students to just observe and he left the room. On returning he found a dead butterfly. On inquiring, a student said he saw the butterfly struggling to get out and out of kindness had helped it. After flapping for a while, the butterfly dropped dead. The professor explained that the struggle to grow from the chrysalis to a butterfly gave it strength in its wings and by making it easy, the opportunity to build strength was not there and therefore could not survive.

We all live in a chrysalis. Life is not punishing us by making us struggle. It is helping us develop strength in our wings to fly.

( The picture is of a butterfly on our carpet at home )