Background: The Borg (see Star Trek Next Generation, and others) are known for their warning “Resistance is Futile”. Yet in nearly every TV episode, the good-guys, known as the Federation, resist and come out ahead.
There’s a general direction in the law-of-attraction that directs you to avoid resistance, and create your own “flow” of action and results. In many cases this might be a wise choice. Going with the flow, and avoiding clashes and confrontation *can* be way more productive in many situations. Taking the path of least resistance is more than helpful in situations such as:
- martial arts, where brute force is secondary to using your opponent’s momentum
- sales and marketing, where you should work within your prospect’s parameters, instead of your own
- product creation based on what “the market” wants, instead of what you want to give it
- using your natural and easy to come by talent, instead of trying to improve things that you have no aptitude, or interest in
BUT…
Even if you have aptitude in an area that interests you and it comes relatively easily, it may not be all smooth sailing. In fact you are virtually guaranteed to run in to roadblocks, potholes and the occasional wrong turn. One word for this is “resistance“. Another would be “growth“. And still another “learning“.
…flash back to the Borg… Do you think the Federation would have come out ahead in each conflict with them if they took the path of least resistance, and allow themselves to be assimilated? Heck no! They had to adapt. They had to learn and grow. They had to do what it took to survive. [sorry if you don't know the background story.. I'm sure wikipedia could help fill in the details]
Doing something that you want (or need) to do isn’t always easy. It’s usually harder than you want it to be, but without the challenges, you’ll likely not get what you really want. You won’t become proficient. You won’t enjoy the inevitable results. An there’s no way it will actually *become* easy.
The only way for these things to occur are through action, persistence and by breaking down resistance.
Don’t believe me?
Look at these obvious examples:
- body building – resistance is key to building muscle
- music – have you every started to learn to play an instrument? Unbelievable how awkward it can be at first (but later, it’s easy, and even picking up a new instrument becomes *much* quicker)
- speaking a new language
- learning to drive (especially a shift shift)
Without resistance, there would be little or no growth. No progress. It’s imperative that you understand this concept.
While it would be nice to say that everything in life will be easy, it would be a lie. That’s not to say that it can’t *become* easy. That would be the truth. It can! You just need to stretch you boundaries and grow into it.
Think back to when you learned to drive a car, or play a musical instrument, or any other thing that you are now proficient in. It probably came with its share of resistance, and problems. But now it’s second nature. You can hardly believe how easy it is. You don’t even think about it.
Resistance has it’s benefits. It can truly be fruitful, and the next time you are challenged by something outside of your comfort zone, you should think about the benefits to pushing past the rough spots.
Next time you hear someone say “resistance is futile”, just change the saying in your head–make it “resistance is fruitful“, and remember all that you’ve gained, and are about to gain through resistance. The law of attraction works, but the it’s only automatic if you make it so through your actions.
What are you resisting, and what will you gain from it? If you have nothing to gain by the resistance, by all means STOP IT! Otherwise, please share! When you become aware of these things, you’ll become more motivated and successful.
Are always… your turn! Please share!
Thanks,
Tim
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I live in Reno, NV with my wife Careen, and the ever so talented kitty named Milo. Programmer by trade, web surfer and learner for fun, I have a ton of interests, and you'll hear about each of them in time!