addicted?

"Life has meaning only in the struggle. Triumph or defeat is in the hands of the gods. So let us celebrate the struggle." -- Swahili Warrior Song

I wrote that down in a notebook over 10 years ago. It's a quote that opens the movie Lorenzo's Oil -- a motivating thought for challenging times.

Lately I've been wondering if it's possible to "celebrate the struggle" so much that that becomes all you want -- struggle -- conflict -- challenge.

ATA - addicted to angst
ATS - addicted to struggle
ATF - addicted to failure

Sad afflictions that keep people from contributing their verse.

It's easy to see how these might set in and become habits. Several setbacks. Learned helplessness. Poor mentors. Bad peers. TV (except West Wing, of course).

I don't have a solution. I suffer from these at times myself.

Perhaps the better conditions to acquire would be ATC (contribution), ATS (service), and ATL (love).