Lo these many years ago, I set out to work as an actor. It was my understanding that this would involve a short time of extraordinary difficulty. Then, after a decade or so, I studied law, and it was clearly set out that law school would be a short time of extraordinary difficulty. Then, after a short spell as an utterly briefless non-barrister, I set out to write a research doctorate, and it was clear that this would involve a short time of extraordinary difficulty.
Clearly, life in its essence, or at least my life, which is all I shall ever know of life in its essence, is a short period of extraordinary difficulty. And I don't know that it's wise to quarrel with either of those particulars too much.
And yet... From looking about, it would seem that these difficulties would be a bit more productive if they were like the difficulties encountered by others who dared less in these prosperous societies. The paradox: dare greatly, and you might very well have no place to stand. Dare less, and you'll be allowed to harmlessly linger.