Life often feels less like a peaceful garden and more like an unavoidable struggle. Making it perfectly simple seems as elusive as finding a mythical plant of immortality. In many respects, existence presents itself as a constant battle. We wrestle with our own internal contradictions – our tendencies toward self-sabotage, our fears, and our inherent limitations. We contend with the relentless march of time, the grip of bad habits, and sometimes, the negativity of others. Depending on where and when we live, we might even fight for basic freedoms against oppression.

But this view of life as a fight doesn't have to be discouraging. In fact, fully engaging in these battles is precisely what can infuse our lives with meaning and deep satisfaction. As the psychologist Carl Jung pointedly observed, life is difficult, and that's a fundamental truth we cannot change. What we can choose, however, is how we confront these difficulties. The approach we take can transform a hard life into a profoundly good one. So, how do we make that shift? How do we prepare ourselves not just to endure, but to thrive amidst challenges?

The Unceasing Flow of Change

First, we must grasp a core demand of life: the absolute necessity of managing change, both in the world around us and within our own minds and spirits. These inner and outer worlds are constantly interacting and shifting. Aging subtly alters us, experiences reshape our perspectives, circumstances evolve, and inevitably, death removes those who shared our world. Beyond these gradual shifts, life is punctuated by the unexpected – sudden setbacks and surprising opportunities that can dramatically alter our reality.

Because change is the only constant, successfully navigating life requires the ability to adapt. The ancient military strategist Sun Tzu captured this beautifully, comparing a successful army to water: water shapes its course based on the ground it flows over; a victorious army adapts its strategy based on the enemy it faces. Neither water nor effective strategy holds a fixed form. True mastery lies in understanding and responding to transformations, adapting to win against whatever challenges arise.

The Danger of Standing Still

The critical importance of adaptability becomes starkly clear when we observe those who lack it – individuals defined by psychological and behavioral rigidity. Sticking rigidly to the same thoughts and actions almost guarantees setbacks in life's battles. When we rely solely on familiar methods, our capacity to handle new or different situations is severely limited. Applying old solutions to fundamentally new problems rarely works.

Faced with situations they can't handle with their fixed approaches, rigid individuals often resort to avoidance – running from the battle, denying problems exist, or trying desperately to sidestep challenges. Yet, the more we hide from life's demands, the less we truly live. Jung warned that an "unlived life" becomes a destructive force, working quietly but relentlessly. To truly live, rather than merely exist, we must be willing to face challenges head-on, ready to change our strategies and tactics as needed for success.

Finding Your Footing: Inner Worth Over Outer Trappings

How do we overcome the inertia and fear that keep so many stuck in unchanging patterns? One powerful way is to fundamentally shift how we define ourselves. Do we see ourselves primarily as a collection of external markers – our job title, income, physical appearance, age, education, address, the car we drive, or the status of our friends? If yes, our self-worth is built on shaky ground, tied to external achievements and possessions.

While common, this externally-focused view of self is inherently vulnerable. As the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer noted, someone who bases their happiness on external things like property, status, relationships, or social circles finds their foundation crumbling when those things are lost or prove disappointing. Their center of gravity isn't within themselves but shifts with every external change or whim. When the outside world is stable and favourable, their self-esteem might feel secure. But when external order breaks down – through economic downturns, social upheaval, or personal crises – their sense of self suffers too.

To escape this vulnerability, we must cultivate a self-image rooted in knowing and developing our inner selves. This "revealed self" is built not on external approval, but on the virtues, skills, character traits, and unique abilities we develop. It’s about who we become as we tap into our hidden potential and interact with the world. Educator Elsie Bird described this resilience: it grows by gradually manifesting our unique, innate abilities – a process sometimes called individuation. As you develop, you become more uniquely yourself, and this growth is ongoing. If your identity rests mainly on external factors, you'll anxiously try to keep the world fixed. But if it's based on your inner qualities and values, you can let parts of your world change without feeling fundamentally threatened. Possessing a strong inner sense of self allows you to adapt and even thrive in new circumstances.

The Power of Purpose

Basing our self-image on this inner development is far more effective in life's battles for two key reasons. First, the inner order we cultivate is much more stable and controllable than the volatile external world. Second, the very process of self-development equips us with diverse skills and abilities, making our self-esteem more resilient and providing us with the tools needed to face challenges. The 16th-century philosopher Michel de Montaigne, who dedicated much thought to self-discovery, offered a guiding principle: "Not being able to govern events, I govern myself... If events do not adjust themselves to me, I adjust myself to them."

Perhaps the surest path to discovering this inner self is finding a life purpose or mission and dedicating ourselves to its pursuit. This doesn't need to be grandiose; it can be any meaningful, long-term goal that contributes positively – mastering a craft, building something new, dedicating oneself to a value like freedom or justice. Crucially, the purpose should be challenging, inspiring, and chosen by us, not imposed by others or circumstances.

When we commit to a purpose, our self-image naturally begins to evolve. Purpose confronts us daily with fresh challenges and problems, creating an ideal environment for self-development. We expand our skills and abilities because we have to, not just when forced by external pressure. In this process, we realize our potential and truly discover ourselves.

Purpose as a Lifeline

While finding a purpose might sound like a lofty ideal, its practical impact can be profound – sometimes making the difference between mental well-being and breakdown, or even life and death. Doctor Joost Merlo, who survived harrowing experiences during wartime and studied the psychology of people under extreme duress, observed this firsthand. Most people thrust into the brutal conditions of concentration camps, victims of sheer cruelty and political corruption, understandably faltered.

However, Merlo noted that some individuals not only endured but, in a sense, even found strength amidst the horror. A crucial factor was the presence of a purpose, what he termed a "mission or inner task." He wrote that while extreme circumstances easily break people, certain factors bolster the human spirit, preventing despair. Among the most potent of these is having a mission, an ideal one identifies with – be it love of country, freedom, justice, or even thoughts of defiance. In moments of disaster, having such a guiding idea proved as essential as physical strength.

Viktor Frankl, the renowned psychiatrist who endured years in Nazi concentration camps and lost family there, echoed Merlo's findings. Frankl argued that for him and fellow prisoners, a sense of purpose was often the deciding factor between survival and succumbing. Without a goal or a reason to look toward the future, the uncertainty and brutality were almost unbearable. He observed that prisoners who lost their sense of purpose often simply gave up, refusing to get up one morning – a sign, Frankl knew, that death was imminent.

Forging Strength for Uncertain Times

Hopefully, none of us will face the horrors of such camps. Yet, the future is always uncertain. Societies can become unstable, freedoms can erode, and economic prosperity can feel threatened. Even in relatively stable times, living with purpose and cultivating our inner selves is a wise path – it builds character and resilience. In turbulent times, however, this inner strength, forged through facing challenges with purpose, might be the critical difference between navigating chaos successfully and simply suffering through it.

Perhaps the most vital eras aren't the calmest, but those where challenge and opportunity stand side-by-side, awakening our deepest energies. When the richness of possibility meets the weight of historical challenges, we find that our time, like all others, can be truly remarkable – if we know what we must do within it.

References:

• Frankl, V. E. (1959). Man's Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.
  This foundational work explores Frankl's experiences in concentration camps and his development of logotherapy. It powerfully illustrates the core theme that finding meaning and purpose, even in the most extreme suffering, is essential for psychological survival and resilience. The sections detailing the importance of a future-oriented mindset and the "will to meaning" directly support the article's points on purpose as a lifeline (e.g., discussions within Part One, often around pages 70-80 in various editions).
• Jung, C. G. (1933). Modern Man in Search of a Soul. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
  This collection of essays delves into Jung's concepts relevant to the article, such as the necessity of confronting life's difficulties and the process of individuation (developing the self). It supports the idea that avoiding life's challenges leads to an "unlived life" and emphasizes the importance of inner development over external validation for achieving psychological wholeness (e.g., Chapters like "The Stages of Life" and "The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man," roughly pages 115-140, touch upon these themes).
• Sun Tzu. (Various translations). The Art of War.
  This classic text on strategy provides the analogy used in the article regarding adaptability. Specifically, Chapter 6 ("Weak Points and Strong" or similar titles depending on translation) often contains the passage comparing successful strategy to water, which takes the shape of the ground it flows over. This directly supports the article's emphasis on flexibility and adaptation as crucial for navigating life's changing circumstances.