Hegel's Hashkafa (or Growing Through Adversity)

"Do you believe in changing yourself or are you one of those tiresome people who prefer to stagnate?"

So, I finally finished my long, arduous Hegel reading and while I'm sure my loyal readers would be totally interested in hearing me recount all the important philosophical points he makes, I just wanted to mention something in the reading that I found really interesting. (You can find Torah in the most unusual places if you look hard enough and have the right mindset.)

Hegel talks about the Spirit (don't ask and I won't tell) that needs to develop over time and he says that as soon as there exists no opposition, the Spirit cannot develop any further and there is death; where there is no adversity there is no growth. I think that statement really rings true. Growing requires a continuous questioning and seeking of truth. Adversity forces one to think about his convictions and where he stands and then to move from there and grow and seek further truths and knowledge and religious ideals. It is hardship more than anything else that forces us as Jews to delve deeper into Torah and the meaning of life and our service of Hashem and to become better, stronger people. And that is the purpose of life.