An ode to discomfort

To discover something new, you need to lose your way. Confusion, uncertainity and some frustration are part of the process.

To learn something new, it needs to feel effortful. Your brain and body needs to hurt from the effort. That is what forging new neural connections feels like.

To build new muscle, you need to push yourself into pain. Only when old muscle is destroyed can new, stronger muscle take its place.

A meaningful pursuit is also one that might not work. A chance for failure is built into the very kernel of whatever we consider meaningful.

In our worship of comfort and convenience, we forget the value of embracing discomfort on purpose.