Why the Struggle Is Real

There may be a reason why the saying “the good die young” exists. Now, there are a few ways to interpret that saying. The first is that those who are good, innocent, beings that to some major extent replicate what we consider to be perfect in behavior and personality. The second is that those who have lived a good life, they were raised well and truly were in want for nothing, knew that and did not make light of it, and did not have any woes.

We constantly mock ourselves, for a good reason, that our troubles are not real troubles. But are troubles and difficulties not what life is about? How often has anyone’s life ever been without their own issues? In reality, is it not our goal to keep those issues small and manageable?

Who are we to say the magnitude of impact any kind of trouble has had on someone? There is this amazing thing that is not discussed enough: mental health. Now, what is the truth: perceived difficulties or true, life changing problems?

If we, as humans, did not have struggles, what would we be? The rich would become smart and be happy with the amount of money they have, for one. But, is this not one of the big points in life? For whatever reason, we all have problems we need to solve. What reminds me of this isn’t just the news, where things that have never been a big issue in the past are now being constantly brought up, but it is all the deaths going on. How interconnected we are making ourselves. “We need to know what is going on in the world.” Who hasn’t heard that saying at some point growing up? Oh, yeah, those people who grew up rough. Why do we need to know what is happening? Why should I care that a puppy on the other side of the country did something cute?

Why, why, why? Is that the point, to keep asking these questions and see where the string leads? The truth is I don’t care about a cute puppy on the other side of the world. But I do care about what could affect me. Maybe I enjoy seeing that video. Maybe I am worried that the storm will have an impact on prices. Maybe I want to know if my friend will be likely to have to go overseas or may get to stay in the States. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

“The struggle is real.” If you are a college student, and likely a high school student, you have heard this saying. You may have said it yourself. This is always said alongside “first world problems. For those of you who are unaware, first world problems refer to issues that are not related to life or death. They are purely a problem because we have made them a problem. And the struggle is real refers to a similar situation: this isn’t a real problem, something that could impact me for the rest of my life, but it is still an issue that I am dealing with right now.

That saying is the best description of what many parents always want. That their children will have a better life than them. Now, does that mean, eventually, they will join “the good die young” crowd?

Just some late-night ramblings.