Inevitable Versus Optional

I used to do long-distance running and whenever I hit a wall, I would think of Haruki Murakami quoting Guatama Buddha on the difference between inevitable and optional: 'Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. 'Say you’re running and you start to think, Man this hurts, I can’t take it anymore. The hurt part is an unavoidable reality, but whether or not you can stand any more is up to .' Here are ten more inevitables and an optional mindset with which you can meet each of them. Or not.

• Inevitable: Aging. Optional: Maturity.
• Inevitable: Change. Optional: Growth.
• Inevitable: Grief. Optional: Self-pity.
• Inevitable: Taxes. Optional: Contribution.
• Inevitable: Love. Optional: Loving.
• Inevitable: Anger. Optional: Temper.
• Inevitable: Fear. Optional: Courage.
• Inevitable: Failure. Optional: Flexibility.
• Inevitable: Challenge. Optional: Learning
• Inevitable: Death. Optional: Creative living.

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