Manipulated Hardships

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the Ten of Wands; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, 'Jupiter in Scorpio:'

Friedrich Nietzsche said: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger;" Place's use of the phoenix suggests that hardships and challenges can strengthen us. Perhaps if we do these tasks without coercion and for a greater cause, our suffering can have merit. However, clinical psychologist Noam Shpancer states, "the bulk of psychological research on the topic shows that, as a rule, if you are stronger after hardship, it is probably despite, not because of the hardship." And as the Jupiter in Scorpio card shows, sometimes we can be fooled into doing more than our fair share. Words of encouragement ("You're doing great! Keep up the good work!) can manipulate us to continue to carry our burden without help until we stumble across the finish line. Of course, those same folks are the ones who will then say, "Look at what we can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit!"

Tender love and care toughen you up, because they nurture and

strengthen your capacity to learn and adapt... ~ Dr. Noam Shpancer