Nothing in this world is difficult, but thinking makes it seem so.  Where there is true will, there is always a way.

Many times the greatest obstacle in life is our own pessimism.  We put pebbles in front of our goals and let them grow into mountains large enough to break our spirits and give up without even a try.  The power of the mind is so fascinating to me.  I’ve been reading things about placebo recently and it just blows my mind what has been accomplished by mere suggestion.  I have a strong feeling that when most people get sick it is because somewhere within them they want to get sick, for whatever reason.  If a person is determined not to succumb to an illness they usually pull out of it.  Often a person’s most effective enemy is themselves.  You know your weaknesses, your short-comings, your vulnerabilities and you attack them like no one else.  The trick is to keep yourself from holding you back.  You know what you want but it’s usually so great you think you can’t get it.  Well, put that aside and tackle it any way.  If you truly want something, you can get it.  Don’t see problems and obstacles as roadblocks, see them as speed bumps or boulders that just make the ride more fun.

Max posted similar thoughts the other day.  His blog has been such an encouragement and a kick in the rear for my slothful productivity.  His thoughts on creative struggles and motivation have been an invaluable insight for me.  And who better to get this from? This is Max Hsu for gosh sakes!

The quote above is taken from a book called Monkey: A Journey to the West translated by a page from Monkey: a Journey to the West translated by David Kherdian.  This is a very old story with many translations and incarnations in all sorts of media. This story was brought to my attention by the BSS Challenge: the Monkey King.  Here is my entry for the challenge.