I don't want to be, but I have to admit I see myself as the tree. Sadly after the reality hit right after I read the post, my ethos as usual is to find something to blame it on, and this time it was because I wanted comfort. My mother was homebound for decades mind you, and so when this post startled me awake I saw how I've been creating to please when I would rather strive to be stronger and kinder as a citizen. The changes are not immediate but subtle now that she has departed this earth so, thanks for the way you helped me get back to life after her death. 😀
Excellent tree analogy, Kyle and Maxime. I've read this post two times so far; there are a lot of valuable truths within it. And it contains digestible challenges without being overwhelming.
Are you implying my other challenges are overwhelming? (Haha jk, agreed brother). You, like Maxime just did, are excellent as using nature as an analogy to life. Really enjoyed this post from him.
LOVE THIS! It’s so true, we need adversity to grow, and without it we can reach our potential or find the peace that comes from satisfaction from working hard on something important.
Reminds me of the quote: “Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.” Reverend Phillips Brooks
Immediate gratification is a spoiler. Love this post! Without naming it as intentional stress, I keep seeking challenges, doing hard things, and craving growth over comfort. To be able to do that, I practice good self care. Instead of going to the gym, I clean my house, garden, and go for walks with my husband where we discuss our day. We prepare our own food. Did you know organic plants have more nutrients because they have to fight off pests? My role model is my grandmother - for her, the rewards of working hard were a long life, good health, and a calm way of being.
Beautiful. I guarantee your substitute for the gym burns more calories and adds more value to your life than checking the metaphorical box with a gym membership and a few hours a week. Respect as always for who you are and what you represent Judith!
This is so timely and beautifully written. My sister and I were just talking yesterday about how our almost-grown kids have never known a world without instant delivery. “I want, I get” sounds great in theory, but it’s led to real gaps in creative thinking, planning, and execution. There are so many ramifications to this "enhancement" to daily life.
I feel even more motivated to seek and tackle my intentional stressor today. Thanks to you both for this.
Doing hard things is how you build character, confidence and resilience. We always have the choice to pursue difficult things, getting better as a result and also inspiring others.
Things are so comfortable, we don’t even have to read this post ourselves. Substack will do it for us while we passively sit!
Thanks for these inspiring words. It gives fuel for the fire and keeps me thinking about what little changes I can make to keep me from falling in a rut.
I don't want to be, but I have to admit I see myself as the tree. Sadly after the reality hit right after I read the post, my ethos as usual is to find something to blame it on, and this time it was because I wanted comfort. My mother was homebound for decades mind you, and so when this post startled me awake I saw how I've been creating to please when I would rather strive to be stronger and kinder as a citizen. The changes are not immediate but subtle now that she has departed this earth so, thanks for the way you helped me get back to life after her death. 😀
Thank you for sharing Christine. Sorry for your loss.
Excellent tree analogy, Kyle and Maxime. I've read this post two times so far; there are a lot of valuable truths within it. And it contains digestible challenges without being overwhelming.
Are you implying my other challenges are overwhelming? (Haha jk, agreed brother). You, like Maxime just did, are excellent as using nature as an analogy to life. Really enjoyed this post from him.
Ha ha! No way! Thanks for the continued motivation.
Haha 😘👊🏻
LOVE THIS! It’s so true, we need adversity to grow, and without it we can reach our potential or find the peace that comes from satisfaction from working hard on something important.
Reminds me of the quote: “Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.” Reverend Phillips Brooks
Thank you, Genevieve. And well said.
When we think about it, we either grow or shrink in life.
We either get stronger or weaker.
It's all about choices.
❤️❤️❤️ great quote
We should seek progress.
The best way.
that's true, Andraz
and it's the only right way, I guess
Immediate gratification is a spoiler. Love this post! Without naming it as intentional stress, I keep seeking challenges, doing hard things, and craving growth over comfort. To be able to do that, I practice good self care. Instead of going to the gym, I clean my house, garden, and go for walks with my husband where we discuss our day. We prepare our own food. Did you know organic plants have more nutrients because they have to fight off pests? My role model is my grandmother - for her, the rewards of working hard were a long life, good health, and a calm way of being.
Beautiful. I guarantee your substitute for the gym burns more calories and adds more value to your life than checking the metaphorical box with a gym membership and a few hours a week. Respect as always for who you are and what you represent Judith!
This is so timely and beautifully written. My sister and I were just talking yesterday about how our almost-grown kids have never known a world without instant delivery. “I want, I get” sounds great in theory, but it’s led to real gaps in creative thinking, planning, and execution. There are so many ramifications to this "enhancement" to daily life.
I feel even more motivated to seek and tackle my intentional stressor today. Thanks to you both for this.
Thank you, Erin.
Convenience is good and pleasant.
But sometimes doing things ourselves (even if we could pay to have it made faster) is the only way to build meaning in our lives.
We feel better, stronger, independent, and capable of doing.
Vital as a human being.
Brilliantly said.
Thank you Erin! No one better relating these concepts to parenting than you!
You're elevating my game, Kyle.
Such an important message for all of us!
Doing hard things is how you build character, confidence and resilience. We always have the choice to pursue difficult things, getting better as a result and also inspiring others.
Amazing work mates!!
Glad you appreciated, Andres.
My lazy human brain is telling me it would be awesome if we could build character and resilience through comfort and ease.
But unfortunately, experience tells me the opposite.
No struggle, no strength.
Once we accept that, we become free.
Appreciate you brother
Thank you both for this. This is an incredibly important message to the world.
Thank you, Kirsten.
Indeed, an important message to the world.
Sometimes, I'm a little scared for the new generation.
We prepare the roads so much that we deprive kids of the necessary hardship that will build their strengths.
It should be the opposite:
We must prepare the kids, not the roads.
This is such an eye-opening take and well said - we are aligned. This is why we must do the work that we do. All we can do is our part.
Glad you’re part of the team that consistently delivers a similar message 👊🏻
beautiful and unifying message, Kyle, love this
Me too, thank you Kyle
Things are so comfortable, we don’t even have to read this post ourselves. Substack will do it for us while we passively sit!
Thanks for these inspiring words. It gives fuel for the fire and keeps me thinking about what little changes I can make to keep me from falling in a rut.
Thank you, Tim.
Indeed, humans are strange.
We do everything to have more comfort.
And then, once we get more, we get bored and feel restless.
It seems humans are wired to build and solve problems.
😂❤️👊🏻
Not for Everyone. But maybe for you and your resilience seeking patrons?
Hello Kyle,
I hope this finds you in a rare pocket of stillness.
We hold deep respect for what you've built here—and for how.
We’ve just opened the door to something we’ve been quietly handcrafting for years.
Not for mass markets. Not for scale. But for memory and reflection.
Not designed to perform. Designed to endure.
It’s called The Silent Treasury.
A sanctuary where truth, judgment, and consciousness are kept like firewood—dry, sacred, and meant for long winters.
Where trust, vision, patience, and stewardship are treated as capital—more rare, perhaps, than liquidity itself.
The 3 inaugural pieces speak to quiet truths we've long engaged with:
1. The Hidden Costs of Clarity Culture — for long term, irreversible decisions
2. Why Judgment, ‘Signal’, and Trust Migrate Toward Niche Information Sanctuaries
3. Why many modern investment ecosystems (PE, VC, Hedge, ALT, spac, rollups) fracture before they root
These are not short, nor designed for virality.
They are multi-sensory, slow experiences—built to last.
If this speaks to something you've always felt but rarely seen expressed,
perhaps these works belong in your world.
One publication link is enclosed, should you choose to start experiencing.
https://helloin.substack.com/p/from-brightness-to-blindness-the?r=5i8pez
Warmly,
The Silent Treasury
Stupendous!!! 👏👏👏