Тонкое искусство пофигизма

           Theysettleandwonder,“Whatif?”foryearsandyears,untilthequestionmorphsfrom“Whatif?”into“Whatelse?”Andwhenthelawyersgohomeandthealimonycheckisinthemail,theysay,“Whatfor?”Ifnotfortheirloweredstandardsandexpectationstwentyyearsprior,thenwhatfor?

           Becausehappinessrequiresstruggle.Itgrowsfromproblems.Joydoesn’tjustsproutoutofthegroundlikedaisiesandrainbows.Real,serious,lifelongfulfillmentandmeaninghavetobeearnedthroughthechoosingandmanagingofourstruggles.Whetheryousufferfromanxietyorlonelinessorobsessive-compulsivedisorderoradickheadbosswhoruinshalfofyourwakinghourseveryday,thesolutionliesintheacceptanceandactiveengagementofthatnegativeexperience—nottheavoidanceofit,notthesalvationfromit.

           Peoplewantanamazingphysique.Butyoudon’tendupwithoneunlessyoulegitimatelyappreciatethepainandphysicalstressthatcomewithlivinginsideagymforhouruponhour,unlessyoulovecalculatingandcalibratingthefoodyoueat,planningyourlifeoutintinyplate–sizedportions.

           Peoplewanttostarttheirownbusiness.Butyoudon’tendupasuccessfulentrepreneurunlessyoufindawaytoappreciatetherisk,theuncertainty,therepeatedfailures,theinsanehoursdevotedtosomethingthatmayearnabsolutelynothing.

           Peoplewantapartner,aspouse.