Our whole life is set up in the path of least resistance. We don’t want to suffer. We don’t want to feel discomfort. So the whole time, we’re living our lives in a very comfortable area. There’s no growth in that.

David Goggins

As the privileged population has grown, many have become soft and lazy, accustomed to comfort, convenience, and ease—jobs we can phone in, grocery orders, and meals delivered to the door. So when life hits us with something, moving us out of our comfort zone, some lose the ability to cope.

Our physical limits are rarely pushed, like those of our ancestors. We are not crossing the country in a covered wagon or homesteading land. Our food is not the fruit of our physical labor. We do not live in a warzone or fear our immediate survival.

Could this be why we seek activities that test and push our limits?

I think somewhere within our DNA, we need to prove to ourselves we still have it, or is it more? Is our DNA driving us to push ourselves to become stronger?

I have always been a tomboy, so when I discovered the sport of endurance racing, riding a horse 50-100 miles, it fit like a glove.

After years of competition, I was asked why I liked the sport; I could have spoken about being out in nature with my horse and the thrill of the race, which is true. However, the one core element, the driving force, was how it challenged me on a soul / spiritual level. This may be the common denominator for those who participate in challenging activities.

We grow when we push beyond what is comfortable. In discomfort, we can examine what we are made of when no one is watching, who we are, and how we act. Conversely, when we run from discomfort, we rob ourselves of opportunities to grow. The paradox is the more we push through pain, the larger our comfort zone expands.

We each face our discomfort uniquely.

Some are stoic and go within. Some will internalize feeling it out privately, while others may shove it away and ignore it. Others are verbose, screaming to the world what is happening, while others become paralyzed with inaction. And some laugh uncontrollably as a reaction.

When faced with something uncomfortable, I am one to internalize it. First, I go inside to check out how I feel about it; then, I fake it. I pretend that everything is ok. Then, when the going gets tough and faced with the unknown, I’ll ask myself, What would it be if I did know the answer? And I fight tooth and nail to keep my head up and not dip into despair. Mainly it works.

I have learned to fake it so well that those looking from the outside would never know I have demons. Some have called me fearless; this is erroneous. I have fear. I confront it on many levels, usually in the dark cover of solitude.

Teaching a horse spooked by an unknown factor, I turn the horse around to face what it is apprehensive of, so I, too, will look into the eye of what brings discomfort. Then I question, what is the lesson here? What do I need to learn? I cannot count how many times I have sworn at an endurance race when I am tired, lost, injured, or scared that this is the last one I will ever do. Then the lights of the finish line can be seen through the darkness, and my discomfort is replaced by hope.

The uncertainty of what fear brings appears deep and endless, but it is not. Sometimes fear gains ground when our energy is low, tearing down our resolve slowly. However, we can bounce back, understanding that fear lives in shallow waters. Our biggest weapon in combatting it is to understand the way out is to enter into it.

I do have fear, but what I do not have is a fear of discomfort.

It is vital to acknowledge discomfort is an excellent teacher. Whatever makes us uncomfortable indicates that we hold a charge or feeling around it. These are also represented by areas we are emotionally triggered. These reactions are a gift. They highlight where inner work is needed, where our attention is required for personal growth.

Within the zone of discomfort allows us to gauge our growth: we can observe and acknowledge if what once caused distress has dissipated.

When we engage in activities that demand our total capacity, we reaffirm our potential and core strength of the human spirit. If we embrace what lurks in the shadows instead of hiding, we will discover the discomfort is a small price for the rewards of pushing through our limitations.

Facing ourselves with open eyes will yield the satisfaction that we are capable and brave, resulting in the joy that we did it!

With ideas it is like with dizzy heights you climb: At first they cause you discomfort and you are anxious to get down, distrustful of your own powers; but soon the remoteness of the turmoil of life and the inspiring influence of the altitude calm your blood; your step gets firm and sure and you begin to look – for dizzier heights.

~ Nikola Tesla