Sometimes the struggle can seem pointless, especially when the results of our efforts are not immediately visible.

The Incremental Path: Finding Meaning in Gradual Progress

Sometimes the struggle can seem pointless, especially when the results of our efforts are not immediately visible. In everyday life, success comes gradually, and it’s easy to lose a sense of significance if immediate rewards do not appear. However, even the smallest actions, though seemingly insignificant at first glance, leave an indelible mark on our inner world. Like a slowly growing tree, each of us takes small yet important steps that, over the years, lead to significant change. We should focus not on a distant final goal, but on the next steps, for it is in these steps that the source of our future success lies. In moments when feelings of powerlessness grow, it is crucial to maintain faith in our efforts and nurture any positive motivation, as it is this very motivation that can inspire us to keep fighting and change. May every little deed become a brick in the grand construction of your life, providing energy and confidence for tomorrow.

Why does the struggle sometimes feel pointless, and how can we find motivation to continue our efforts?

Sometimes the struggle seems pointless because the results of our efforts are not immediately apparent. In everyday work, where success manifests gradually, it is very easy to get caught up in the feeling that every action goes unnoticed and yields no tangible external reward. In such situations, our inner perspective might not be experienced enough to grasp the hidden changes that accumulate over time. As one source states:
"If it doesn’t work out, it begins to seem that our efforts are in vain, and gradually despair takes hold of our soul. While we are often capable of a grand heroic deed, for in such cases success is immediately evident, in mundane, routine work that does not provide quick noticeable results, our energy soon dwindles and fades. To prevent despair, we must firmly remember that no effort, no matter how small, goes unrewarded and leaves its mark on the soul..." (source: link txt).

Moreover, the comparison with a growing tree helps us see how even the daily, unnoticed progress leads to significant changes over time:
"Look at how slowly, imperceptibly a tree grows. It is nearly impossible to determine how much it has grown in a day, and only at the end of the year do we notice a significant increase. So it is in spiritual life. It is always better to look not at the ultimate goal of our aspirations, but at the next step we need to take." (source: link txt).

Finally, as noted in another source, when the need arises, the struggle regains its meaning; it is at that moment that nurturing any positive motivation becomes essential:
"Looking at this, one might conclude that the struggle is pointless. But once the need arises, it becomes meaningful again. At that time, it is important to encourage any positive motivation, honesty, and sincerity, the desire to fulfill God’s will, and the aspiration to change the world for the better." (source: UNESCO_1995.txt).

Thus, the struggle can seem meaningless due to the absence of immediate results, yet it is important to remember that every action, no matter how insignificant it may seem, leaves a trace in our soul. Focusing on the next steps and embracing the process as a journey where every contribution holds its value helps us find the motivation to continue our efforts.