7 Strange but Beautiful Paradoxes In Life

Photo by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash

Carl Jung once said: “Only the paradox comes anywhere near to comprehending the fullness of life.”

I agree with this sentiment.

That’s why I am inspired to share this list of 7 paradoxes with you as each honours the complexity of life while showcasing its nuance.

1. The Growth Paradox

Growth seems to happen gradually, almost imperceptibly at times, and then all at once.

The way bamboo grows is one of the best examples of this.

Bamboo can barely be seen for the first five years as it builds extensive root systems underground. Then it explodes ninety feet into the air within six weeks.

Our own personal and professional growth can follow a similar trajectory. The growth paradox reminds me to be patient.

2. The Persuasion Paradox

Have you ever noticed how the most argumentative people rarely persuade anyone to do anything meaningful?

Persuasive people don’t argue – they observe, listen, and ask thoughtful questions instead. They live a life of authenticity and curiosity and that’s enough to inspire change.

“Persuasion is an art that requires a paintbrush, not a sledgehammer” — Sahil Bloom

3. The Productivity Paradox

Working longer hours doesn’t always mean getting more done. Often it can be the opposite. This is the productivity paradox and Sam Ewing summed it up best when he said:

“It’s not the hours you put in your work that counts, it’s the work you put in the hours.”

4. The Oxygen Paradox

Although oxygen is vital to life too much of it can be deadly. It’s similar to how too much food can clog a person’s arteries, too much exercise can damage muscle tissue, and too much sun can cause skin cancer. It doesn’t seem to matter what “it” is in life because when something becomes unbalanced, it ultimately becomes toxic. Breathing too much oxygen is no different.

The best way to understand how this works is to feel it in your own body.

So for the next 20 breaths, breathe in and out of your mouth as quickly as you possibly can.

Then breathe the next 20 breaths in and out of your nose as slowly as you possibly can.

What was the difference? How did each one make you feel? Typically, the latter should have made you feel more relaxed. The former may have even caused you to feel lightheaded, claustrophobic, or even suffocated.

When a person overbreathes like this in daily life inflammation can arise, digestion can be disrupted, and even autoimmune diseases can develop.

5. The Opportunity Paradox

Sometimes turning down opportunities is the best way to create them.

Discernment is the key to success.

“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully” — Steve Jobs

6. The Failure Paradox

Michael Jordan brilliantly said:

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

All successful people know that in order to succeed they must fail a bunch of times. When failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, everything changes.

7. The Speed Paradox

Whenever I’m rushing too much I often miss important things or don’t do them properly. Slowing down is often the fastest route, if it’s paradoxical.

That’s why the Navy SEALs say:

“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast”

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