Gratitude for Challenges

Link to the Amazon page for Maps of Meaning by Jordan Peterson

I am currently listening to the audiobook for Jordan Peterson’s Maps of Meaning. This is a book interpreting religious archetypes, written before Jordan became famous for championing freedom of speech in areas where being for freedom of speech is a controversial position (a controversy that gains him notoriety and fame respectively from the two sides of the political spectrum).

In Maps of Meaning, Jordan emphasizes the importance of having a positive attitude toward the unknown. Comfortable things don’t get called the unknown. So the unknown isn’t comfortable. Engaging voluntarily with the unknown to bring back knowledge and other treasures is the hero’s journey. In the Christian tradition, Jesus himself is the primary hero.

The hero’s journey often begins when something we weren’t looking for and didn’t want comes knocking at our door. Then we have a choice: bemoan our fate, or take them on as if voluntarily that challenge that we have no choice about. Somewhat paradoxically, approaching our challenges with gratitude is a great way to maximize our chances of coming out of those challenges not only intact, but with greater power and wisdom than he had before those challenges came knocking at the door.

So today, on Thanksgiving, give thanks not only for the obviously wonderful things in your life, but also for the things that are forcing you to grow, whether you like it or not, on pain of being diminished if you try to hide your eyes from the reality of those challenges.

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