Chapter 3
Proverbs 24:16a (NIV):
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…”
As we turn the page to Chapter 3 of 2025, many of us are reflecting on what the next phase of this year might hold. While some of Jordan Peterson’s ideas can be controversial, one concept of his caught my attention and lingered with me:
“People make their mistakes as they stumble uphill.” … and they rise again!
This notion—is both comforting and empowering. It isn’t about perfection or avoiding errors; it’s about the climb, where every stumble teaches us something vital.
Finding Meaning in the Burden
One of Peterson’s most profound quotes from 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is:
“The meaning of life is to find the largest burden that you can bear and bear it.”
At first glance, this seems counterintuitive. Why would anyone seek burdens rather than avoid them? But it’s precisely in carrying these burdens that we discover purpose and direction in life. The weight of responsibility—even when it feels overwhelming—grounds us in meaning and helps us become stronger versions of ourselves.
Of course, carrying a burden is no easy feat. It demands strength, perseverance, and a willingness to step outside of comfort. Peterson’s advice to “stand up straight with your shoulders back” is both literal and metaphorical. Physically, it’s a reminder of confidence and readiness; symbolically, it’s a call to face challenges head-on, no matter how daunting they seem.
Comparison and the Uphill Climb
here a little advice about personal growth:
“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.”
In a world dominated by social media, this advice feels particularly relevant. It’s all too easy to look at others—their achievements, their milestones—and feel like we’re falling short.
A Shared Struggle
In Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, Peterson writes:
“The world is suffering. You are suffering. Everyone is suffering. We are all suffering together.”
This shared experience of pain and struggle connects us. It reminds us that we are not alone in our hardships. Our suffering, while deeply personal, is also profoundly collective. When we acknowledge this, we create space for empathy and solidarity—offering and receiving support as we each navigate our individual uphill climbs.
Stumbling Eternally Upwards
The concept of the eternal uphill climb—both physically and spiritually—resonates deeply as we navigate the complexities of 2025. We may stumble along the way, but as Proverbs 24:16 reminds us, the righteous will rise again and again, stumbling upward, eternally!
Wishing you a peaceful and purposeful weekend,
Philemon