With all the focus on success it’s easy to overlook the valuable lessons we can learn from the more difficult parts of our journey. Below, you’ll find some very interesting insights from some of the most fascinating members of the community.
Cait Swithers
Suffering taught me what success never could: that unchecked hustle is just another form of burnout. When I first “made it,” I thought the formula was simple—work harder, work longer, push more, and the success would keep multiplying. Instead, I burned out so badly I wanted to torch the whole thing. Read more>>
Jess Vosseteig
Suffering has taught me a lot about myself. As a freelance artist, my work is often very unstable and unpredictable, and sometimes that can lead to suffering mentally and financially on occasion. The ‘suffering artist’ trope is real to an extent, but because I am so committed to making art as a career, I’ve found ways to make these periods of suffering work for me. Read more>>
Jesse Nickell
Suffering is defined differently in its utility but can be categorized as either optimistic or destructive. Suffering ought to be used optimistically, which is my aim. Its fruits are hope, character building, and resilience. Suffering also teaches hardening of resolve and purpose, as well as creating relatability and a story of perseverance. Without suffering, I would not possess these traits in great quantity. Read more>>
Tessa Ringlein
Suffering taught me that nothing truly meaningful comes easy. It showed me the value of hard work, resilience, and the willingness to fail—and try again. While success is rewarding, it’s the difficult moments that have shaped me the most. I’ve had times where I felt completely lost, but I refused to stay there. Read more>>
Rick DeSimone
That even in failure, I have value. That exploration and taking risks is scary and makes you feel vulnerable, but to act in spite of that fear and vulnerability, especially after a series of failures, is where all the strength, grace, and beauty is found. Read more>>
Arlene Padilla
Suffering taught me empathy. When I was in Kindergarten, I remember both my parents working day and night to provide for three of my siblings and myself. It was hard for them. Kids in grade school had new clothes, new supplies, etc., when us four children did not. My parents could not afford such luxury. One begins to understand the struggles in silence. Read more>>
Jeremy Saiz
That’s a deep one — and coming at you straight from Jermz Barbershop, where the fades are clean and the truths are real: Suffering taught me patience, humility, and appreciation — things success alone could never touch. When you’re down bad, that’s when you find out who you are. You learn to hustle without applause, grind without guarantees, and grow without shortcuts. Read more>>
Bahman Saless
That we are reseliant and that we will survive, but at the same time it taught me humility and perspective. Success is a very small part of our being but failure teaches us how to deal with the rest. Read more>>
Joey Borrero
Suffering taught me what success never could—that God allows you to walk through the fire not to destroy you, but to mold you. At one point, I lost my family because of poor choices—chasing women and smoking weed instead of being responsible and accountable to the woman who loved me. That woman is now my wife and the mother of our two beautiful children. Read more>>
Alaizja Diaz
Suffering taught us humility, resilience, and how to move with purpose. Things that success alone could never offer. When you’re struggling, you learn how to stretch what little you have, how to keep going when no one’s clapping, and how to depend on God more than your own strength. Read more>>
Stephanie Harper
I could literally write a book about this… oh wait, I actually kind of already am! But in all seriousness, I wouldn’t wish a debilitating chronic illness on anyone—being in constant pain and a state of unwell truly sucks—but I’d like to think that I’m making the best of a bad situation. Read more>>
