Life is a challenge. Without the challenge we wouldn’t grow. In fact, everything grows because of challenges. Dig a hole, put a seed inside and simply leave it like that. Do you think the seed will grow? No. You have to give it a challenge. Cover it with some soil; leave it in the dark. The seed says, “Aha! You are covering me up? Watch me come through!” It starts to grow.
You need a challenge in your life. Your difficulties help you find solutions. The greater the problem, the more solutions we find. These challenges force us to dig into our own intelligence. We have all the answers there. Necessity is the mother of invention. Don’t try to escape the problems and puzzles of life. Neither should you run here and there looking for challenges. Just stay still. Challenges will come to you one after the other.
If you want more challenges, come to an ashram. Many people move to an ashram thinking of escaping life’s difficulties. However, the same challenge comes in another form there. If they run again, they will encounter the same problems. We cannot run from our own minds.
If you are married to someone and the time comes that you no longer get along so easily, immediately you will think of divorce. You run to another person. Where is the guarantee that this new one is a saint? I often advise people in this situation: At least you have lived with that one for a few years. An unknown devil is much better than an imagined divinity. At least you know by now that your partner is not perfect and in what ways not perfect. It is better to sit tight and find ways to work it out.
Never run away. Escapism will never help you grow. Keep working, keep working. Then you will grow beautifully. That is what makes any life a success. When you make a commitment, stick to it. All the great thinkers said that. Face all the challenges and become great.
It is all in your hands. You can raise yourself by yourself. Your own mind can make life’s challenges a heaven or a hell. If your own mind is your enemy, you don’t need any other enemy in the world. You will never have a friend anywhere then. If you mind becomes your good friend, you cannot find even one single enemy.