There is a famous story about Michelangelo. When asked how he created David, he said: “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
We love this quote because it sounds romantic. We imagine the artist gently brushing away dust. We forget the violence. To create David, Michelangelo had to strike the stone with a hammer. He had to break it. He had to reduce a massive block of expensive raw material into dust.
The Pain of Becoming
In your own life, you are not just the Sculptor. You are also the Marble. This is the Sculptor’s Paradox:
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To improve, you must act as the Sculptor (Ruthless, Visionary).
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But to be improved, you must endure as the Marble (The one being struck).
Why Growth Hurts
We want “Personal Growth” to feel like adding a coat of paint—smooth, easy, additive. But true growth is Subtractive. It is the removal of parts of you that you have carried for years.
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You chip away the “People Pleaser.” (It hurts to say No).
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You chip away the “Victim.” (It hurts to take responsibility).
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You chip away the “Safety.” (It hurts to take a risk).
The Protocol
If you are comfortable, you are not growing; you are just aging. The flying chips are proof of progress. Do not fear the hammer. The hammer is the only thing that proves you are not just a rock, but a masterpiece in waiting.
#DhandheKaFunda: We demand the prize of the Angel, but we refuse the pain of the Chisel.