Be Uncomfortable
“Only as you are uncomfortable can you grow.” All growth and change can be uncomfortable, but I have found in my own experience that being stagnant or stuck is terrible also. Not working on fixing problems in my life is also painful. I choose to grow.
Our culture currently seems to have an aversion to being uncomfortable. We don’t want to look at our difficult history, and fear teaching unflattering or uncomfortable episodes from our past. But those who don’t learn from their mistakes are destined to repeat them. We can simultaneously celebrate the great accomplishments while looking at the mistakes and working to move past them.
It can also be uncomfortable to wear a mask, but it’s really just a small inconvenience to help others stay safe and do our part in getting past the current moment. I wear my mask for you and for me.
Being uncomfortable is certainly part of fitness, as the body only grows and changes when you place a demand on it. I learned to love the pain in the gym because it meant growth and development. And the body rewards us with serotonin and dopamine and a muscle pump for our efforts. We just have to work past the pain and discomfort on our way to better health.
Fear and lack of experience lead some to lash out against the LGBTQ+ community, yet another instance of feeling uncomfortable and letting unscrupulous politicians take advantage of our fears. NBC news reports that “In less than two months this year, conservative state legislators have filed more than 170 anti-LGBTQ bills — already surpassing last year’s 139 total — according to Freedom for All Americans.” We can do better than this. Don’t scapegoat me and my family because you don’t know many people who are not exactly like you.
On the recent webinar with Lauren Teel and Mary Duerkop of The Troopers, we talked about learning to accept that our performers must be allowed to sound bad before they can sound good. Allowing them to push and reach and struggle as they learn new skills gives them what they need to grow. It can be uncomfortable to hear those bad sounds, but we have to get out of their way while they move through this process. Watch the webinar here
We all know that the baby chick must be allowed to struggle as it breaks free from the egg. If we step in to help it in the process, the chick will die. It must be allowed to struggle, for this struggle gives it the strength to live.
Keep the big picture in mind and look toward your long term goals. Then being uncomfortable in the present moment is seen in context and we recognize it for what it is: just a step forward in our plan and in our growth. Be brave, be uncomfortable, grow, and reach your goals!
Tim Hinton
March 4, 2022
Art by Lee Vandergrift (Excerpt of “Party”)
