This quote suggests that difficulty or challenges are not necessarily negative experiences, but rather tools that are designed to help us understand ourselves better. It personifies difficulty as an ‘ancient tool’, implying that it has been a part of human experience since time immemorial. The purpose of this tool, according to the quote, is to help us ‘define who we are’. This means that it is through facing and overcoming challenges that we discover our strengths, weaknesses, passions, and values.

In other words, it’s in the process of struggling and battling with difficulties that we get to know our true selves. We learn our limits, our resilience, our courage and our determination. We understand what we are capable of, and we also identify areas where we need to grow and improve.

Applying this idea to today’s world or personal development, it suggests that we should not shy away from challenges or difficulties. Whether it’s a challenging project at work, a difficult relationship, or a personal goal that seems out of reach, these are opportunities for us to grow and learn about ourselves.

Instead of viewing difficulties as obstacles or problems, we can see them as tools for self-discovery and self-improvement. When we face difficulties, we are forced to dig deep, to find resources within ourselves that we may not have known existed. We learn to be resilient, to persevere, and to remain hopeful in the face of adversity.

Moreover, by overcoming difficulties, we gain confidence in our abilities, we learn to trust ourselves, and we develop a stronger sense of self. This is why difficulty is such a valuable tool in personal development. It pushes us out of our comfort zone and forces us to grow and evolve.

In conclusion, this quote encourages us to embrace difficulties and to see them not as hindrances, but as opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth. It’s a reminder that it’s through facing and overcoming challenges that we truly get to know ourselves.