It’s Okay to Be Uncomfortable
Our society has developed an aversion to being uncomfortable. All around us we see people lashing out at people or situations that they don’t understand or which frighten them. Rather than taking time to try to understand, or to have empathy and “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” many people now try to banish these things or create laws against them.
“Only as we are uncomfortable can we grow.” I’m paraphrasing a very famous statement which I think is absolutely correct. By being uncomfortable we learn that we can be resilient and gritty. We can work our way through the pain and discomfort and push through to a better place.
My years in the gym have taught me that the pain can be a signal of growth and progress. I had to learn the different between discomfort and true pain of an injury so that I can monitor and make adjustments to keep my body safe and growing. But working out taught me that I can feel those feelings and push through and be okay…and in fact, can grow and be stronger by doing so!
I think our wonderful marching activity teaches the same lessons. A young person who learns they can push through a difficult rehearsal and the discomfort of learning a new skill acquires attributes that will serve them well their entire life. This is why a Nobel Prize winner noted their years of practicing the bassoon as teaching them the discipline to persevere in the science lab.
We need to teach our students that the discomfort is part of the process and is actually a gift they will come to appreciate. And when we see those around us who are uncomfortable with trans people or drag shows or people who don’t look like us, we need to remind them to leave these nice people alone to pursue their own happiness and expression. We can all live our lives happily and still feel uncomfortable from time to time with people or situations we don’t understand. Don’t let your fear of the unfamiliar keep you from having perspective, love, and grace with those living around you.
Tim Hinton
February 28, 2023
Art is “Superstar” by Lee Vandergrift
