|
|
|
Depending on the paths we all choose to walk, the doors of opportunity are constantly opening and slamming shut. Thus, to lead a life you want to live, you must consciously choose the paths which are not only aligned with your underlying goals and purpose but also filled with growth and development. Remember, you are directly in control of your own destiny; so, pave a future that feeds your ambitions. |
As we all walk through life, one of the greatest
challenges is making wise decisions which guide us in the right direction. We
are constantly confronted with the dilemma of choosing a path to follow, and
each path we choose ultimately leads to a myriad of consequences. For instance,
one of the classic examples is the decision to attend or skip college. If we
walk the path of higher education, future opportunities are more plentiful, and
many doors and potential paths are opened. However, these doors are opened at
the expense of time and commitment - without the guarantee of a desired
outcome. Such time could have been invested in other endeavors, which may be
more important and beneficial to other people. Conversely, if someone chooses
to skip college, all of that time may be devoted to his or her passions and
other fruitful activities - such as starting a business. Nonetheless, many
doors of opportunity will most likely be slammed shut, and the individual may
potentially end up leading a more stressful life. Regardless of the actual
decisions made, all choices will ultimately pave the future road we must all
walk; so, it is clear that making the correct choice - one that supports our underlying
mission and goals - is absolutely imperative.
|
|
When we arrive at a fork in the road, how are we
supposed to assess our options wisely and pick the correct path to walk? Given
that the majority of our future is contingent on these choices, such a decision
process can be quite stressful and weigh heavily on our conscience. From my
experience, what I've found is that humans instinctively tend to choose the easy
path of least resistance. Our minds are essentially programmed for efficient
survival, and, therefore, we all strive to maximize profit by exerting the least
amount of effort. Once our survival is guaranteed, engagement in a given
activity is significantly challenged and becomes more of an exercise in
willpower. For example, would you rather deepen your knowledge by reading a
book or relax leisurely in front of a TV; eat whole, natural foods that allow
you to think clearly or consume processed, instantly gratifying foods which
hurt and hold you back; get ahead in your classes and work or shirk your
responsibilities and party with friends? Provided that survival is guaranteed,
almost all of us are instinctively drawn to the second option in each example -
the path of least resistance. In this sense, our minds sometimes tend to be our
greatest enemies, and they can be attributed to a great loss of opportunity. To
complicate matters further, modern society has made survival almost trivial -
removing one of the greatest motivators for action in human history. As a
result, making the choice of pursuing the right path can sometimes be quite
challenging, and most humans almost instinctively fall into this path of least
resistance.
|
Provided that survival is guaranteed, almost all of us are instinctively drawn to the path of least resistance. However, although expedient in the moment, this option almost always leads to decline and atrophy; it points in the opposite direction of your dreams and ambitions. So, to lead the life you wish to live, you must learn to embrace challenges and fight the urge to walk these regressive paths. |
The path of least resistance may provide the illusion of safety and instant gratification, but it ultimately leads to stagnation in the long run. Much like a ship left in the harbor, you remain static and fail to cultivate the skill sets which drive success. Furthermore, such lack of action slowly deteriorates your talents - just as the weather gradually wears away at a dormant ship. If you persistently walk the path of least resistance, not only will you fail to lead the life you want, but any skills which could serve you along the journey will eventually vanish; you will lose the vessel capable of sailing towards your dreams. |
Although expedient in the moment, the path of
least resistance generally provides us with broken roads or dead ends. It may
lead to instant gratification but ultimately produces stagnation and atrophy. Just
as water may erode the most robust rock structures, continually walking this
path will ultimately deteriorate your motives, discipline, talents, and inner
framework - taking much more from you than it gives. To top it off, I have also
found that any pleasure or "happiness" attained from this path is
short-lived and unsustainable; it is as fleeting as it is damaging. For
example, people who live solely for stimulation and instant gratification -
such as TV, movies, alcohol, etc. - may appear to be "happy" in the
presence of these stimulating sources. However, once those sources are removed,
they quickly revert to a state of dissatisfaction - tying a portion of their happiness
to external conditions. While fine in moderation, instant gratification and
pleasure certainly provide an unsustainable type of happiness - especially when
pursued excessively. In this sense, walking the path of least resistance may
temporarily serve you in the present moment but generally leads to a poor outcome
in the long run - leaving you empty handed.
|
|
Fortunately, taking the easy route of least
resistance is hardly ever the only option available; we can also choose the
harder path of most resistance. Based on experience, this alternate course
usually turns out to be the best option. It may be the narrow, difficult path
which is barely trodden, but it is the passage towards growth and development -
the seed of opportunity waiting to blossom. If you choose this path and
properly nourish its seeds of opportunity, you will find that those seeds
eventually flourish into something which far surpasses your expectations. However,
choosing this path certainly demands persistent dedication and time. Since this
path is chosen infrequently, you will most likely have to blaze the trail and
find your own path through the forest of uncertainty - to basically invent the
wheel. You have to become the wolf who thinks for him/herself and conquers
uncertainty; you can not simply coast along this path as a sheep being herded
to its final destination. In the long run, however, the end result always gives
more than it takes, and you will be amazed as your conception of what's
possible is continually challenged.
|
The path of most resistance may certainly demand persistent dedication and effort. However, it is the option which offers the seeds of opportunity, and, if properly nourished, these seeds always flourish into something which far outweighs the sacrifices. So, train yourself to not only walk the path of most resistance but to also wholeheartedly embrace what it offers; learn to say yes to a dynamic, growing lifestyle. |
As you navigate through life, your choices must always align with and strive to fulfill your underlying purpose. Failing to do so is equivalent to walking in circles; you may end up reaching minor goals, but you will ultimately never progress to a higher level. In the long run, you will constrain yourself to a single, never-ending path - a path where the same things happen again and again. So, to lead a life filled with true, sustainable success, always choose to walk paths which are aligned with your goals and challenge yourself; don't fall into the easy path of least resistance - the path which is disconnected from your purpose and promotes atrophy. |
As an example of this path, I recently watched a show which
perfectly captures the essence of these ideas. Entitled Attack on Titan, the
show depicts humanity's struggle to survive a new predator: colossal giants
known as titans. When they first appeared, these giants quickly devastated all
of humanity, and Earth's population was almost completely wiped out. It was not
until the remaining humans imprisoned themselves inside gargantuan walls that
peace was finally achieved once again. However, this was attained at the cost
of freedom and access to the entire world; humanity could only survive by reducing
itself to a bird in a cage.
In the show, the main characters are followed as they train to join humanity's new military. Divided into three separate sections (the survey corps, garrison, and military police), the new military not only defends against potential attacks but also maintains order within the walls. Furthermore, of the three sections mentioned above, a career in the military police is equivalent to following the path of least resistance. Nestled in the comfort of the deep inner walls, members of this faction hardly have any responsibilities, and survival is essentially guaranteed. As a result, most faction members lack the evolutionary pressure to hone their skills and fight for a better future, and they naturally fall into the easy way out. They are usually found drinking on the job, wasting their time with trivial games, and shirking the few responsibilities they actually have. Since this particular faction offers an easy and peaceful life, most military members also compete to join the military police; humanity is naturally drawn to this path of least resistance. Ironically, however, the military police are not only disengaged and bored with life but are also thoroughly dissatisfied. Any excitement initially attained from joining the faction is fleeting; it is expedient in the moment but hardly ever leads to any accomplishments or true, sustainable happiness. |
|
As the show progresses, one particular
character, who is known as Jean Kirstein, consistently struggles with his urge
to join the military police. Initially, the faction's easy, disengaged life
draws him in hook, line, and sinker. His ultimate passion and fulfillment in
life is to walk that safe, secure path of least resistance - even if it entails
sacrificing his talents and ability to aid humanity. However, in the long run,
he eventually realizes that true, sustainable happiness comes from our personal
journeys and being the person who we want to be; it flows from that sense of
full engagement. Provided that basic life necessities are guaranteed, you can
not sustain happiness with external pleasures and a stagnant lifestyle; that is
only born from a dynamic life - not a static one characterized by monotony and
atrophy. So, do not allow the fear of change to take the wheel and steer your life into stagnancy; doing so leads down the path of complacency where improvement is restricted. Instead, realize that change and challenges are your ally; they provide that evolutionary pressure which drive you towards the lifestyle you personally want to live.
|
Sometimes, blindly following the paths laid out in front of us (especially the social narrative) lead to nothing but complacency and stagnation. In order to live a life of significance, you must find the courage to walk a path aligned with your innate purpose - even if that entails straying from the norm and demands diligent work. |
If you choose to walk the path of most resistance, it will certainly demand much more effort and consistent commitment. However, if you persevere, you will find that such a path always makes all the difference; it will provide the growth and development essential for leading the life you want to live. So, resist the pull of the easy way out; strive to challenge yourself and walk the path of most resistance when appropriate. |
Upon realizing this through a series of tragic
events, Jean eventually decides to fight his urges and join the survey corps
instead. As its name implies, this faction surveys land beyond the walls -
where titans freely roam. Thus, the rate of survival is quite low, and hardly
any members of the military freely choose to join this division. It is
essentially the path of most resistance yet serves as humanity's only offensive
stand against the titans - the path where growth, development, and hope reside.
By deciding to join the survey corps, Jean not only continues to develop his
skills and willpower, but he eventually participates in humanity's first
victory over the titans. Serving under this faction is certainly hard work, but
it always ends up giving more than it takes and offers a road to victory. For
instance, during a breach of the walls, Jean's cultivated skills and abilities
ironically allow him to take action, lead, and survive - while his colleagues
in the military police remain helpless and are eaten. The path of least
resistance ultimately fails to mold their skills into a valuable asset - one
that could make the difference in tough situations. So, as this example
demonstrates, the path of least resistance may be expedient in the moment, but
it is nothing more than a dead end - a choice that breeds atrophy and decline.
If you wish to get ahead in life, you must have the courage to follow the path
of most resistance when appropriate - to choose the difficult option that
offers growth and development. That's the path where a dynamic life unfolds in
front of you - a life characterized by change, opportunity, and true
sustainable happiness.
|
|
Although a detriment to progress, this natural
attraction to the path of least resistance can actually serve as a useful tool;
however, it must first be perceived as such. As explained in a previous lesson
(check it out here), we must paint our pictures of reality such that they
always work with us and give more than they take, and this certainly applies to
the path of least resistance. For instance, we all tend to emotionally resist
the path towards growth and development, but this innate feeling is actually a
compass in disguise. It always points towards the true-north principles essential
for true, sustainable success; so, overcoming this resistance with sufficient
willpower will generally lead to positive results. If perceived in this manner,
the path of least resistance is suddenly transformed into a useful tool - one
that serves as a guide and provides direction. So, when you come to a fork in
the road, do not fear your instinctual attraction to the path of least
resistance; rather, embrace it as a valuable asset for any decision-making
process. It always points south towards the direction of decline, and this
knowledge alone is one great step towards making positive changes.
|
If perceived properly, our natural tendency to resist growth and development can be utilized as a useful tool - a valuable compass in disguise. Such resistance always points towards the true-north principles essential for true, sustainable success; so, overcoming this resistance with sufficient willpower will generally lead to positive results. Thus, you should not fear your own resistance; instead, you should embrace it as a tool that can create direction - if permitted to do so. |