I personally had adopted this way of thinking in my earlier years in the military, before i had a true sense of what I wanted out of life. It was the only way I could cope with the insane amount of "bullcrap" for a lack of better terms. The constant unknown of missions coming down and the lengthy deployments. All I could tell myself was I signed up and there is nothing I can do about it now. That way of thinking eventually landed me in my opinion in an even worse state of well being. I eventually stopped caring altogether about self improvement and didn't have a grasp of my self worth. Is constantly making the best of a bad situation really a good situation at all? Are you just sugar coating or is the situation really getting better with a simple switch of mind set. These are questions that I started asking myself, well one day I found my answer and it was hindering me. Not only as a soldier but as a person. I started accepting less than for myself and for my future because I assumed that's the way it was and I should just learn to love it. I soon found that changing the situation such as my job title and acquiring higher ranks gave me more control over my situation in turn giving me direct control of my happiness.
Another personal story that I rarely ever share was my last marriage. I was in a situation that in most peoples eyes was ideal. I had the perfect little home and seemingly everything but was not internally happy. After all that is what really matters right? So here I am in another situation where taking the good of the situation would still end in misery. I decided to not make the best of the situation, we are now divorced and rather good friends. It's acceptable I think to apply the idea of Stoicism to some facets of life but the larger more self destructive situations I believe in making a real change, something tangible. Yes our minds are strong, but I truly believe in order to grow one must be well mind, body, and soul.
I could possibly be wrong, but in my personal experience taking life by the horns and leading life will make you a lot happier than letting life lead you. I rather be a rock constantly fighting than water not knowing where I'm flowing even if the ocean is beautiful. After all we only have one life, why not live it on your terms. Id hate to look back and see nothing but compromise and no chances taken because of a "seemingly permanent situation." Life is so beautiful and is ever changing, I plan on changing with it.
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