Renowned Buddhist Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and his co-author Eric Swanson end their book “Joyful Wisdom” with a chapter on perseverance. They quote Helen Keller who wrote, “You will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles.” And then Mingyur describes how the experience of anxiety as a young boy has contributed to the graces in his life. He writes:

Within our perceived weaknesses and imperfections lies the key to realizing our true strength. By facing our disturbing emotions and the problems that occur in our lives, we discover an experience of well-being that extends outward as well as inward. Had I not faced the panic and anxiety I felt through most of my youth, I would not be in the position in which I find myself today. I would never have found the courage or the strength to get on a plane, travel around the world, and sit before an audience of strangers passing on the wisdom I’d learned not only through my own experience, but through the experiences of the truly great masters who were my guides and teachers.

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