But can there ever really be genuine achievement without
adversity? It seems to me that while
adversity is not necessarily a prerequisite of achievement, it undoubtedly enhances
it. Just look at the Paralympics: many
would argue that while absolute performance is significantly ‘better’ in the
able-bodied Games, it is the Paralympic athletes’ feats that represent the
greater achievement.
“Nothing,” agreed former US President Roosevelt, “in the
world is worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty...”
There is no achievement without adversity.
But this seems paradoxical.
Achievement engenders happiness, but simultaneously necessitates pain. Can we really enjoy our anguish and smile
through our suffering?
I complain a lot. About
the amount of training I have to do, and about how tired I subsequently
feel. About how hard it all is. But maybe I should be embracing it. Because the harder I find it, the greater my
achievement.
And, as another US President famously said:
“We choose to go to the moon and do the other things not
because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
Cycling: 64.6 miles Running: 7 miles Swimming: 150 mins
