Grow or Suffer

Grow or Suffer

We all know the saying “Nothing grows in the comfort zone”. It always made sense to me. Not always have I stepped out of the comfort zone though. But definitely enough times to make some progress.

When I think about this concept today, it makes a lot more sense. Nobody likes uncertainty. I think we’re often afraid or even frightened of uncertainty. Anything can come out of it. That’s why we think about things we are not certain about more often, even if we don’t want to. It is not always comfortable, but it is an inherent part of growth.

There are always things we want to do, change or improve. The outcome of engaging in some activity that will eventually lead to some kind of change is often looked upon as somehow dangerous. What could be the outcome? How will it change me? Well, you have to visit the uncertainty and see what comes out of it. It can be either good or bad, push you back or forward.

Staying still does not seem like an option.

I noticed that I think about this concept with slightly more understanding ever since I listened to a couple of lectures from Jordan B. Peterson. What lurks in the dark, behind the light of the campfire? Danger or food? Depends on how you think about it. Dragons and treasures.

What are you bringing into the uncertainty?
The comfort zone is not simply sitting in your bedroom with a full stomach, watching the latest episode of American Gods. It is patterns of your thinking. What are the things you do not like to think about? Those are the thoughts worth exploring.

It seems like nature has build-in mechanisms for steering us into the “right”, or at least some kind of, direction. If we stay still and do not engage in growth, we suffer. Our blood pressure rises the more we try to compress the things we do not like to think about or are afraid to do. When you do something that is not good for you, you can literally feel it in your gut. The question is, do you listen to it?

“As long as you live, keep learning how to live.” Seneca was on point. But in order to learn, you have to solve problems. Nobody likes problems, but it is exactly what we need.

With this point of view, every problem becomes an opportunity. Uncertainty becomes a place of growth.

I encourage you, as I encourage myself on a daily basis do to those things which seem somehow most difficult, most uncertain or frightening, but at the same time have the biggest potential for reward. Evolution thrives on problem solving.

Artwork by Aomori - https://e621.net/post/show/1138617/ambiguous_gender-aomori-cave-claws-coin-dragon-fan