By chance, was reminded once again of the term ‘legitimate suffering’, coined by Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Travelled. Incidentally, this was the book that I spent a number of afternoons poring over while trekking in Nepal.

“When we avoid the legitimate suffering that results from dealing with problems, we also avoid the growth that problems demand from us.”

M. Scott Peck

What is this ‘legitimate suffering’ really? Put it simply, it is the kind of hardships which we should go through in order to emerge a better individual. When does it turn into something akin to masochism? I suppose, as with all guiding principles in life, balance is still the key!?

As a continuation along the same theme:

“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.”

Eleanor Roosevelt