Life often feels like a race, where we compare ourselves to others and feel like we’re falling behind. But the truth is, the struggles and challenges we face are not setbacks—they are shaping us into stronger individuals. Think of a blacksmith working on a piece of metal. The metal is heated and hammered, each strike making it more refined and stronger. In the same way, the challenges we face in life are like that hammer, forging us into people capable of handling bigger responsibilities and achieving greater success.

Take, for example, someone who faced numerous failures before finally succeeding. Consider Thomas Edison, who failed over a thousand times before inventing the lightbulb. Each failure was part of his process, teaching him valuable lessons. He didn’t see himself as falling behind; instead, he saw himself as being forged through each attempt. That persistence, combined with the lessons learned from those struggles, helped him create one of the most groundbreaking inventions in history.

When you face a tough road, it may feel like you’re lagging behind, but remember, this is the process of becoming stronger. Every challenge is teaching you something new, preparing you for the success that awaits. So, embrace the hard road—it’s the path that molds you into someone capable of achieving greatness, just like the strongest travelers who’ve already walked it.