The saying "pressure creates diamonds" should be tossed into the scrapheap of hideous clichés. You've all heard this idiom repeated ad nauseam. The saying means that adversity creates people that are strong and beautiful. But that's only half the story.
Adversity can break you. Synonyms for adversity are disaster, trauma, and misery. That doesn't sound like the makings of saints and champions, right? Many of life's calamities are more likely to leave with you post-traumatic stress disorder rather than a diamond's trademark shimmer.
This saying needs to be revamped:
"Pressure creates diamonds, but diamonds must be cut before they shine"
The diamonds you see in a jeweler's window don't come out of the mines looking that way. Diamonds must be carefully cut. Facets are carved into the diamond, so that they can reflect the light more radiantly. This takes the diamond from a rough stone to a gorgeous gem. Therefore, pressure is not enough to create diamonds, just like adversity is not enough to create beautiful and strong human beings. Diamonds must be consciously shaped, and so must you.
When you encounter adversity, you must approach it with a particular attitude. I can't blame you for feeling hurt, bitter, and angry when turmoil causes you to suffer. That is the pressure of the situation hardening you. But once the worst of it is over, the search for meaning and insight begins. You have to cut away at the parts of the adverse experience that do not serve you. Leaving behind the pain of real trauma takes time and emotional labour. But, only after chipping away at your own defects can you truly begin to shine.
I wish overcoming adversity was as simple as parroting that "pressure creates diamonds". But we all know that life doesn't work that way. Encountering adversity does not automatically make you a great person. Amazing people that bounce back from adversity are slowly sculpted. You must do deep, introspective work. Otherwise, the lessons that adversity can teach you will be lost to the pain and indignation that you justifiably feel.
Hence, my new favourite saying: "Pressure creates diamonds, but diamonds must be cut before they shine."
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Or read more daily meditations:
Practicing Gratefulness Isn't Just A Cliche
How To Handle Adversity? Expect It.
Don't Fight For Hills That You Can't Keep
Can You Make Life 1% Better?
When There Is Blood In The Water
Writer's Block Ain't Shit
Main image created in Canva; underline credit
Agreed, the only diamond-like attribute that comes from pressure is hardening.
Yes. We have to be proactive when we encounter adversity. This is doubly true when we experience trauma. I get a little worried about the message of "adversity on its own will make us better." Improving yourself is an active pursuit.
Yep, I gotta say I like your revision -
via GIPHY
Instagram this quote. Make me famous. I'll wait.
Done.
LOL. You're the best.
So you're enjoying your Instagram fame? LOL!
I'm going to do a shocking thing right here and just comment to say that this is an astounding observation and a perfect visual. You've given me so much to think on and I have so many thoughts spinning through my head right now... but I'm NOT going to leave a novel length comment this time.
Yet.
Just... great AWESOME post. I really love this.
Hi, @Byn!
Sorry this comment got lost in the shuffle.
I'm really glad that this spoke to you. It has been something I've been trying to get off my chest for awhile!
No problem, you get a LOT of comments and I'm sure its hard to keep up!
I was thinking the same thing the other day. I have heard the term numerous times over the last couple weeks and it has been driving me crazy. It can take decades, or even an entire life, to overcome some traumatic experiences. The idiom kind of belittles the struggle people go through. That said I welcome this revamped version.
Thanks! I think you honed in on the message I was going for. Just because something seems pithy and sounds good, doesn't mean it's accurate. This saying is a good example of it.
Pressure creates diamonds, but diamonds must be cut before they shine. I like this line so much from your post.
Thank you! I hope it becomes the new version in some distant future!
i agree! I totally agree! in fact I once wrote a personal essay about this same topic that I never published. Lol. It was basically about how pressure is not always good and that there is a thin line between pressure that makes diamonds, and pressure that breaks glass. :3
Well... perhaps you will publish now that Steemit is around? :)
Yes. Pressure must be managed. And when we take on too much pressure, it can take us a long time to recover from the disappointments of life.
"Pressure creates diamonds, but diamonds must be cut before they shine" This is great! Very well written and properly explained :)
Thank you, @Kothy! I am glad that you enjoyed my writing. I think this will become a longer article some day soon. There is a lot more that I would have liked to have said.