Readers of a certain age (mine) probably have had a math teacher tell you something similar one of my teachers told me back in middle school: “Kyle you really need to commit to learning how to multiply by paper. You won’t have the luxury of a calculator sitting in your pocket when you’re older.” As I write this post, from my iPhone X, I appreciate the effort trying to instill value of the old way of doing things but it obviously looks poor in retrospect. I do believe however there is merit in some of the techniques that are considered “old”. One aspect of life that rings true no matter the situation is this: sometimes nothing beats elbow grease and some grit.
There is no denying the role of technology in our society. Since the invention of the wheel at the dawn of time, humans have tried to answer the “is there a better way to do this?” question. You don’t have to be an engineer to figure the importance of this query. Even a baby knows this question is rampant in our society, and the need to solve that question drives our natural curiosity. You place a toy in the sight of a non-mobile child , that baby will figure out how to get it. It may take a few months and several trials and attempts of; rolling over, to scooting, to crawling, to standing and then ultimately walking, but eventually, that toy will be theirs.
There’s a classic saying which I model this post from. That quote is something I find myself ruminating on quite often:
It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Putting my mind to anything involves taking on the labor that is required to make it happen. Whether it is learning Algebra again in my mid 20’s, turning myself into a basketball coach at 19, my many attempts at weight loss, or getting myself through college sometimes the best option is not the easiest. A little sweat along the shirt collar is the sign of work completed, even if it is part of a bigger process. I encourage you to not to shy away from the hard work. Even in 2020 there’s value in finding your own path and blazing that trail. Putting hard work in to a goal or project is not an ideal of yesteryear but a timeless standard of our society that should passed from generation to generation. Try to embrace the grind in your life more often. There’s a chance you discover something about yourself that will open your eyes.
Take care and trust the process!
-YFBF
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