confront the uncomfortable...now
Crowe
About three years ago I was given a piece of advice that I have since used on a nearly daily basis. I know there is a direct connection between this advice and the feeling of raw aliveness that I am so grateful for these days. It was given to me by a man on my now team before I even joined. There are variations on it (confront the uncomfortable for the men of Man Cannon) but I know it this way -- if something is frightening move towards it.
Discomfort is an opportunity for growth. And this is not some merely conceptual idea about how life might ideally work or how best to think about a problem. It is a pragmatic, physical act. When I am confronted with a situation that causes a particular panicked reaction in my body then I know it will matter when I do it. This could be going back to school, sustaining eye contact, volunteering, revealing myself more deeply, pushing myself to complete an activity that feels doomed to failure, or pursuing real intimacy.
Using this wisdom has changed my field of work, deepened my relationships with friends and family, and brought me to a men’s team. It has taught me how to remain okay within my own struggle.
On top of this, my life would not work if I did not have a daily contemplative practice. It provides me both an ongoing way to deepen my connection to the spiritual aspect of life and an on the spot technique for bringing me back to myself, back to the present moment. I use meditation – a focused awareness of my body breathing – to keep me grounded and sane, plugged in, humbled, and able to bare uncertainty.
And I absolutely must have somewhere to take the things about myself that I’m afraid to let another human being know. I need a place to work out my confusion and pain, people willing to know my deepest sadness, worst fears and most soaring joy.
Discomfort is an opportunity for growth. And this is not some merely conceptual idea about how life might ideally work or how best to think about a problem. It is a pragmatic, physical act. When I am confronted with a situation that causes a particular panicked reaction in my body then I know it will matter when I do it. This could be going back to school, sustaining eye contact, volunteering, revealing myself more deeply, pushing myself to complete an activity that feels doomed to failure, or pursuing real intimacy.
Using this wisdom has changed my field of work, deepened my relationships with friends and family, and brought me to a men’s team. It has taught me how to remain okay within my own struggle.
On top of this, my life would not work if I did not have a daily contemplative practice. It provides me both an ongoing way to deepen my connection to the spiritual aspect of life and an on the spot technique for bringing me back to myself, back to the present moment. I use meditation – a focused awareness of my body breathing – to keep me grounded and sane, plugged in, humbled, and able to bare uncertainty.
And I absolutely must have somewhere to take the things about myself that I’m afraid to let another human being know. I need a place to work out my confusion and pain, people willing to know my deepest sadness, worst fears and most soaring joy.
