Mastery: Embrace The Wind

Issue No. 58 | February 5th, 2024 | Read Time: 2 Minutes

Back in 1987, a group of researchers came together to build a facility in Arizona called "Biosphere 2" with the mission to study life forms on Earth. 

Imagine a type of huge steel-and-glass enclosure with air that contained clean water, nutrient-rich soil, and lots of light. A type of environment that would provide peak living conditions for any flora within.

It didn't necessarily serve one purpose though. Some experiments included the research of human life in outer space and humans' ability to maintain an ecosystem within a closed environment. 

However, there was an issue that scientists couldn't seem to figure out. Over and over, when trees inside the Biosphere grew to a certain height, they would simply fall over. 

It took them a while, but eventually, they found out that the Biosphere lacked the one thing necessary to the tree's health: wind.

In a natural environment, trees are strengthened by wind. Over time, trees will respond to wind by growing stronger bark and deeper roots to increase their stability.

But when you take that wind away entirely, you're left with a weak and flimsy tree that can fall over at any time.

In other words, it's the challenges of wind that make trees stronger. Not their sheer size.

I think you know where I'm getting with this.

What the wind does for trees is exactly what daily hardships do for you. The constant stress and anxiety of life are what make you stronger for tomorrow.

And that's exactly how the Stoics viewed it. So if they found themselves to be anxious and couldn't seem to shake it, they would accept it as a challenge to make them stronger.

So next time you find yourself getting pummeled with wind, remember you have two choices:

You can either toss those feelings of anxiety away and focus on the present moment. Or, if the stress is too much to overcome, accept it as a challenge to better yourself as you fight your way through it.

Because as they say, if you're going through hell, keep going.

It's your choice though. Do you want to stay a sapling, or grow into the mightiest oak?

Until next time,

Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I'm Currently Reading -

I'm now reading

Sell Like Crazy

by Sabri Suby, a book on how to get as many clients, customers and sales as you can possibly handle.

• If you'd like to see my book notes pertaining to this book or any others I have previously read, then check out my websiteisaiahctaylor.comto view my entire library of notes and summaries.

Quote Of The Week

• "Don't count the days, make they days count." — Muhammad Ali