Do you have any good, memorable stories from your past about how you didn’t go through any resistance and stayed stagnant? Have you seen any movies with a plot where the main character didn’t grow? He just settled in for a comfortable existence and got everything he wanted. I don’t want to live that kind of life.
There’s Magic in Overcoming Comfort
I was just reading Michael Hyatt’s blog entitled, Why Is Discomfort Good For You. Hyatt writes about an article he read in Wired magazine about a long distance runner named Dean Karnazas. Karnazas runs 100 to 170 miles a week. One time, he ran 350 miles in three days–with no sleep and without stopping!
Karnazas is quoted in Outside magazine as saying:
Western culture has things a little backwards right now. We think that if we had every comfort available to us, we’d be happy. We equate comfort with happiness. And now we’re so comfortable we’re miserable. There’s no struggle in our lives. No sense of adventure. We get in a car, we get in an elevator, it all comes easy. What I’ve found is that I’m never more alive than when I’m pushing and I’m in pain, and I’m struggling for high achievement, and in that struggle I think there’s a magic.
Flying Pigs and Achieving the Prize
As I write this blog, the Flying Pig Marathon is taking place just a few miles from where I’m sitting. Three years ago, I was at the staring line ready to embark on a 26.2 mile speed walk with my wife, Melissa. I must admit that as I reflect on that achievement, I do have the feeling like I’m missing out on a great time. There’s an energy about being a part of a sporting event where there really are no losers.
It seems nearly impossible today for me to think about walking more than 26 miles. There was a lot of training that had to take place in order to prepare. I’m not sure we’ll do it again. But we now have a story and if I can walk a marathon, surely there are more lofty goals out there that I can still achieve.
Embracing Discomfort
Hyatt gives the following three reasons why we should embrace discomfort:
- Comfort is overrated. It doesn’t lead to happiness. It makes us lazy—and forgetful. It often leads to self-absorption, boredom, and discontent.
- Discomfort is a catalyst for growth. It makes us yearn for something more. It forces us to change, stretch, and adapt.
- Discomfort is a sign we’re making progress. You’ve heard the expression, “no pain, no gain.” It’s true! When you push yourself to grow, you will experience discomfort.
There is a certain level of discomfort in acknowledging all of this. More often than not, I want to be comfortable. But, I do believe it’s overrated and it makes for a boring story. Let’s live life–Living Intentionally Fully Engaged!
