Let me tell you, that last line felt as if Muhammad Ali punched me in the gut.

“Ease is a more significant threat to progress than hardship.” Speaking those words aloud brought back a flood of memories—moments when I wished everything could just be simple. Times when I’d shed tears and gaze at the sky, wondering why life had to be so darn challenging. “Why is everything so hard?” I’d desperately question during those trying times.

But as I reflected, I also recalled that right before every victory, there was often a storm of misery. It dawned on me that I had to break down walls to reach the other side. The door was never ajar, and the window was never open for an easy passage. In my most desperate moments, I had to bulldoze my way toward my goals.

Now, Denzel Washington isn’t just an actor I adore; it’s his charisma and the way he articulates his testimony that truly captivate me. His words never fail to keep me engaged and inspire me in my own life. It’s true; we don’t truly grow through ease.

Much like a sword, we are forged by the fire, shaped by the hammer, and solidified by the ice. Just as a sword comes into existence, so do we. Life’s hardships mold us, our unwavering commitment to rising every time we stumble shapes us, and the persistent repetition of this process defines us. Through these trials, dedication, and consistency, we transform into that very sword that wields victories.