Discomfort is where all the gems are.
I'm not quite sure how this is going to go, but Im sitting here in the Crystal Room ready to go within & share whatever comes up. Should be interesting lol
There is a knowing within - that comfort limits, (or it did for me anyway) that it is an illusion of sorts. That perhaps it is something that we have adopted from others around us, society, a self soothing of sorts - but does it serve?
In my case it did not.
Perhaps the opposite of comfort is enlivening?
Perhaps we just need to shift our narrative around discomfort? Its interesting the associations that discomfort has. Really - I used to want to avoid it. Anything that was "uncomfortable" including learning new things, having hard conversations, getting up early lol, being in the "cold" - all these various things that I perceived to be "uncomfortable". Key word here being - perceived. I know now, that my perception can change - therefore changing my reality & how I meet my moments - even changing the meaning I place on words. Discomfort no longer means what it used to. It is now a cue for inquiry.
Anyway I digress....
Perhaps comfort ruled my life?!
Or my idea of it anyway.
The seeking of it - the staying within the box of it.
Perhaps the opposite of comfort is not discomfort - but enlivening!?
Recognising "discomfort"
Perhaps leaning into what we perceive to be discomfort & holding it gently within. Questioning it - asking self softly - what is it really that I am seeking or perhaps avoiding? What narrative that doesn't serve me or that is keeping me stuck is playing out here?
Ultimately I learned for myself that comfort was a self imposed box I put myself in. It kept me trapped in habits & ways of being that just didn't serve me.
Perhaps at one time they did - but then it turned into "comfort" which was just me seeking something, repeating a pattern that was not helping me to grow.
Something connected to an old version of myself....Not my continual creation - evolution.
Perhaps that's what comfort is? - The repetition of something that once served a purpose but now is just a cosy habit?
Perhaps in the recognising of "dis comfort" - it is our higher self showing us there is something that we can tend to?
Within "discomfort" there is expansion
Growth lies there my friend. In the perceived discomforts. As we grow within this - we can rewrite our own narrative around discomfort & shift it to expansion. Pushing outwards the walls of our box. Knowing that we are broadening our experience, learning, perhaps healing & growing. Shifting out of habitual ways of being & the comfort that once served us - to an enlivening state of being.
What is enlivening to you?
Each of the pictures above were enlivening to me. Often it would call me - in order to get to them - to push past perceived old ideas of "comfort" to something different.
Expansion. Enlivening.
I like that word. "Enlivening" I have spent a lot of time sitting with it & learning what is enlivening to me.
All of the above I wouldn't have been able to experience if I didn't move through some sort of "dis comfort"
The wall however is not a big to climb over as what it used to be. I have become good at climbing! It has been a process of learning like any other. Which I still meet daily, but I am grateful to be alive, to have the opportunity!
Perhaps it all comes back to gratitude?
discomfort & inner expansion
Yes moving through "perceived" physical discomfort has enabled me to experience many amazing enlivening things I wouldn't otherwise have - but it has also allowed for an inner expansion.
It has been a shift in perspective first & foremost from it being "negative" to just sensing discomfort without labelling it & it usually being a cue for questioning or to move through consciously.
It has also called me to communicate better - hard conversations.
Learn about personal boundaries - learning to say no.
Learn about myself - what makes me feel uncomfortable & question why?
It has helped me to become comfortable with "failure" aka the learning process.
It has taught me accountability & personal responsibility.
It has called me to inquire & be compassionate with my feelings of shame & guilt - to then learn & heal.
It has taught me that I can take up space in the world. That I am worthy. Jeez making myself cry now. True story tho fam. She's been a journey.
Life is a funny old thing. We create such boxes for ourselves.
It happens. This is life.
However life is also realising on each wall there is a door & that you hold the key to opening it my friend.
These are our lessons. This is the pathway to self realisation & self actualisation.
Knowing thyself.
It takes time.
It takes compassion.
It takes bravery.
You can do it.
Just notice the discomfort next time - then move through it.
There's growth, healing, expansion & a higher version of yourself waiting on the other side!
With love, Millisa xo
