Do you notice how mainstream society has become more and more free-wheeling? Many senior citizens today still yearn for the so-called "good ol' days" when people followed rules and everything seemed to be so orderly. In popular media, rebellion (usually in the guise of creativity) and decadence (usually in the form of self-expression) seem to be becoming more and more normal.
Another disturbing fact about modern life is the emerging culture of instant gratification, or what psychologists refer to as the "I want it now" syndrome. With the rise of instant products and systems (from noodles to even marriage), many of us want to get things fast, right away, immediately, not to mention effortlessly and without a fuss. As one columnist lamented, "We are now seeing the rise of the something-for-nothing generation."
But remember, nature doesn't work that way. Seeds don't grow into trees in a few hours and bear fruit tomorrow. Babies don't learn the alphabet overnight. Similarly, if we want to achieve something in life, we need to put in all our effort and not just do a few simple tricks to gain it. Laws are the rules by which the game of life is played, remember that.
One of the requirements of life is the ability to make choices. In order to do so, you need to know how to look at yourself clearly. The pursuit of self-mastery, like our mountain climb, may leave you bruised, broken and possibly battered, but always, always, a better and happier person in the end. It's the destination, not the journey, that makes the trip worth enduring.