The Power of Embracing Discomfort
The Power of Embracing Discomfort
The only way out is further in.
Doing things we don’t like makes us stronger. Getting up earlier, rising with the sun, moving our bodies, and putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations make us stronger. Breathe, move—it's just a moment. As Mr. Harrison once said, “This too shall pass.”
“The only way out is further in.” I’ve heard this multiple times over the past 15 years in difficult situations, usually involving large amounts of plant medicine. That perspective of life is a constant reminder of how life squeezes us, and we must continue to go deeper, revealing more layers of the mind, body, and spirit. What are we truly capable of? It's this squeeze that life gives us that leaves us at the crossroads: stay still, stagnate, and get sick, or keep moving, keep flying higher, going deeper, and inwards in this experience of life.
This isn’t a frantic rush to keep moving and to be overly active, both physically and mentally. It’s motion in stillness, an acceptance of where we are in life and the challenges we face. We either face them, or we grow old and resentful. I respect my elders, but you could say there is limited respect for old people. Old people are the ones who were faced with the challenge of their personal mountain and chose to sit still, to not even tie up their laces. They are the stagnant water in the bucket that complains and talks in a negative tone.
An elder, on the other hand, is someone who heeded the advice internally that the exit wasn’t an external commentary on life, but a continual inward journey towards self-discovery and an exploration of this earth that we live on. In other words, they walked up that mountain.
The mountain, or the idea that “the only way out is further in,” doesn’t come without its challenges. In fact, it’s much easier to stay at the base of life’s mountain, distracted by the daily busyness, pulling shut the curtains of ego and ignorance to block out the light of possibility. It’s like locking yourself in a fluorescent-lit room, allowing your life to be navigated and influenced by TV shows filled with people who carry artificial vibes and predictable botox assisted opinions.
The mountain, however, is bathed in sunlight—a golden, illuminated light. A refreshing morning dew and a choir of winged relatives cheer you along. It’s hard, you’re sweating, and there is danger along the way, but the sunlight and morning air are with you. Your heartbeat becomes the constant, vibrant cadence of life. In those difficult moments, when the thought of giving up begins to pierce your mental field, there is always hope...
H - Heaven
O - On
P - Planet
E - Earth
Hope is about creating your own reality, one step at a time—your own sense of heaven on earth. It’s not sitting around on TikTok and Instagram talking about manifesting your crystal light code reality. It’s real. It’s a “chop wood, carry water” kind of vibe, where you are guided by the morning star, by the creator, by your ancestors, and by hope. It’s fueled by your own spirit and authenticity.
Here’s to you conquering your personal mountain for that view that is limitlessly inward. 🙏🏼