Hello everyone, I recently came across this video and had some discourse that I believe to be beneficial edification for anyone. Below is the video in question and the discourse follows. The video was posted with the caption, “A negative is not always a negative, in fact, it’s always all perception.”
Discourse:
TMP [commenting on the subject of the video]: “It’s not a healthy way to motivate yourself because you end up consciously or unconsciously creating disaster to cause activation.“
FCP: “I can see that potential perspective that can be chosen. My perspective of this tidbit is that he is saying, that it takes a certain amount of stress/obstacles (which are not inherently negative, just something to be passed, like climbing a mountain) for more growth.
If a plant is in a field and receives adequate sunlight, it won’t grow, it has no need to grow further. Is that bad? No, it’s entirely up to the plant, it can be whatever size it sees fit. Now, if a tree grows next to this plant, it causes shade to fall on this plant which reduces the quality of its life. Depending on how much the tree grows (obstacle) is how much the stress the plant undergoes. So as long as the tree only gives so much shade (you could say “takes sunlight” but I prefer the positive perspective) the plant will not grow, it will tolerate the new level of sunlight and maintain itself as best as possible. After all it takes a lot of active energy (which comes from potential energy aka the stress from less sun) to grow to a point where it is receiving enough sunlight. The plant will only expend the energy to grow if it is justified. (Adaptation=Growth) As such, it takes enough stress to encourage the plant to grow and reach a more benefitted/harmonious state for itself. The plant will not grow on its own, once the environment inspires it to sufficiently.“
TMP: “What?!?! A plant in a field with plenty of water will grow and grow and grow unless the sunshine and water go away. In which case it learns to adapt. So it’s leaves will fall off and it will go into a hibernation state until the sunshine comes back. All living beings down to single cell amoeba flourish and split or procreate under non stressful conditions. They are forced to adapt or die when something gets in the way of their growth but adaptation is a state forced upon the being that impedes growth and causes stress. It’s only positive if it adapts but is it truly growth? My main issue is this is the theory of greedy capitalists who excuse evil behavior by claiming stress and fear is the only way to motivate humans but it’s not. Stress and fear make people sick, depressed and unhappy. There’s another way to promote growth … it’s called love.“
FCP: “Some plants grow and grow unimpeded, some plants stay the same size. It’s all about the plant. The focus of this is not about plants in pristine conditions, it’s about plants under “stress”. If the plant only has enough nutrients/sunlight to maintain its size, then that’s what it will do. It’s not until the plant is “stressed” enough that it will grow further when stressed. The example doesn’t have to be a plant, the example could be coal under pressure— the coal doesn’t turn into a diamond until the right heat and pressure is applied. The example could be a grain of sand in a clam’s/oyster’s mouth, that environment (neutral word) or stress/discomfort (negative word) produces pearls, (the roughness of the sand). The example could be not fixing/replacing a chair until it is broken or not drinking water until you’re thirsty rather than avoiding the thirst by drinking before. One doesn’t fully learn/grow to not touch the stove until they are burned.
But we are talking about humans here and my perception of the intent of this video is that the information provided is to be beneficial, and the beneficial meaning I derive is that one should grow when they need to before conditions are bad, rather than waiting for the conditions to become unfavorable and potentially harm them.
We are talking affirmative action here, an ounce of medicine is with a pound of prevention.
I agree with you that individuals excusing evil by claiming that stress and fear is the only way to motivate humans is bunk. It’s incorrect because positive reinforcement/experiences and love, as you said, can also do that.“
I then decided to write more, further expanding on the subject for any who might be reading.
FCP: “As a note for anyone else reading this:
it is important to remember that stress and fear are not inherently negative. They have their benefits, though I am not saying they are necessary, don’t get me wrong.
Everything is necessary for the bigger picture and harmony. Day needs night, yin needs yang, life needs death, sadness needs happiness…
Life is a play in my books, for we all write our own story. What is a crucial component you need for a good story? (A) Hero(es). And what is required for a hero? (A) Villain(s) [or something to overcome].
The hero is not always a hero, they are made, they become one through means of circumstance and making their choices.
The villain is not always a villain either, they are made, they become one through means of circumstance and making their choices.
What is the difference between the Hero(es) and the Villain(s)? The differences between hero and villains is purely perspective— in other words, where they are standing, each step that led them there, and WHY they took each step.
This can be seen through a reading of the Harry Potter books for example, most who have never heard the story consider that Snape is a villain, that is until we find out his greater motivations.
Every villain has a reason for being the way that they are much as every hero has a reason for being the way that they are.
The key thing to remember when considering villainy/evil, is that, to have a good story, you must have a good villain. Are they really such a bad character when we realize that the purpose they served in the story was for the greater good? (The reader’s edification.)
Unfortunately the life we are currently able to live doesn’t necessarily appear to be as inconsequential as a comic book. However, notice that I did say “appear,” which means, “to seem as.” But I must remind you it is so.
The negative is not negative, as some might choose to currently perceive, it is about what we take from the negative, what the negative begets. This is learning, which is for the greater good.
Someone smoking and dying of cancer can seem like a terrible thing, but is good in those who see it and learn not to take that same path.
After the thunderstorm comes rainbows, and out of the destruction it causes, comes new life.
In much the same way, our villains (fictional or otherwise) practicing evil teach us the meaning in good and lead to heroes. Thus all villains secretly serve the light.
What follows the darkest dark? The brightest bright. For the light to come, it must be not equal too, but greater than the dark. And the light cannot shine without having the darkness there to penetrate.“
I hope you enjoyed reading and can see what I am saying.
Wishing you all the best,
FCP 🙃
Next Article: A little reminder…
Previous Article: Conditional Acceptance