As I reflect on my past, as well as on what I see around me, it seems to me that rigor is a key ingredient to our ability to grow as human beings. Challenge creates opportunity for discovery within ourselves of things that just can't be gotten to otherwise.
Conversely, the avoidance of things requiring rigor often leads to atrophy and a stunting of our growth.
This seems to be true physically, mentally, regarding self-awareness, and spiritually.
