We now live in a century of comfort. We’ve become the masters of instant gratification. Everything’s ours with the push of a button.
Want to buy something?
Amazon will deliver it to you.
Want to watch a movie or tv show?
Neftlix and HBO Go.
Want to listen to music?
Spotify.
Anything you want, there’s an app for that.
You don’t even have to talk to another human being on the phone anymore.
But the side effect of this is that comfort is starting to feel like a prison.
In this world of instant gratification, no one wants to do things the hard way anymore. Even rattling the bars of our cage feels like hard work.
And we’ve mistaken comfort for happiness, without realizing that the easier it is to get something, the less you appreciate it.
You do not appreciate what you get for what it is, but for what you have to become to have it.
It’s as simple as that.
As I often say, the struggle alone pleases us, not the victory.
Comfort bypasses the need for transformation as a means to achieving goals, and thus provides us with an opportunity to discard our humanity.
Tough words?
Tell that to those who cry because their iPhones were delivered to them a day later than it was supposed to in a world where two billion people are having trouble finding drinking water.
When we expect everything in life to come fast, cheap, and easy, we’re setting ourselves up for misery and failure.
The truth is that a comfort zone is the place one goes if one wants to die.
If you’re not willing to take a walk, you’ll never run a marathon. If you’re not willing to write a sentence, you’ll never finish writing a book. If you’re not willing to work as an intern, you’ll never own your own company.
Most of all, if you’re not willing to feel uncomfortable, you’ll never be happy, because discomfort is part of the formula for happiness.
yes 👏🏽
LikeLiked by 3 people
I tend to agree with you for the most part. However, I think there is something deeper than the satisfaction of growth and process. I believe that the secret of a joyous existence is simply accepting one’s self as one is. The lack of a compelling need to change for the better produces a deeper sense of peace than personal change driven by a need to change. In other words, if you are a lazy bumpkin then accept that you are a lazy bumpkin and be happy with it. If you are in need of constant growth then accept that you are in need of constant growth and you can find some peace and happiness even in the midst of the need for growth. If we are driven by a need that we haven’t chosen and are not entirely at peace with then our peace of mind is out of our hands. Anywho …. maybe its just an excuse to be fat and non-productive! Thanks for your posts
LikeLiked by 4 people
I agree that if you are a lazy bumpkin then accept it. If you accept that to be your identity and being a lazy bumpkin is what you value the most in life, that’s great! because you are doing what you love.
However, I think what the writer’s saying is that there is more to life than being a lazy bumpkin if that’s what one person’s wish to become.
Basically the post is saying to find your passions, get out of your comfort zone, and live by your values. If you value your health, then it is worthwhile to eat healthily and exercise regularly even if it hurts!😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve been thinking about this same thing a lot lately! Thank you for putting it into words so well written.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Excellent blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that the comfort zone equals the danger zone. With no initial threat and constant convenience, humans don’t have to thrive for better, put in the work, discipline, think outside the box, etc to gain better. The comfort zone takes away creativity and even our ability to think for ourselves at times.
You take away the threat of anything and constantly give a helping hand, you take away one’s ability to figure out situations for themselves.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well written and I couldn’t agree more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
It’s much the same reason why I think it’s good to be sore after a workout. If there’s no pain, then there’s no appreciation for the gains made.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was smiling and nodding the whole time through this article. My favorite was when you mentioned that the more one wish for comfort, the more discomfort it will have.
People are lazy and want all the short-term benefits rather than delayed gratifications. This post made my day!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Delaying gratification is one of the most underrated yet crucial aspects of success and happiness.
LikeLike
Good read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well explained…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Hard work always rewards something good, in one manner or another. Excellent post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
“But I also knew, from experience, that the more I wanted comfort, the more discomfort I was getting.”
Attachment always brings suffering. Loved your thoughts here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Megan.
LikeLiked by 1 person