If you were to gather my closest friends and family and ask them, “What is the one thing you can expect when you’re at a point where you’re needing to take a leap of faith?” They all would tell you with a smile, and possibly a sigh, “She’s going to say that she prays you become so uncomfortable that you have no option but to move.” Now, I must tell you this is a prayer that I am often met with eyes that are begging me to take it back. I mean, who really wants to be uncomfortable? But the thing is, before I even opened my mouth to say that declaration over my loved ones, they’d already settled into a space of being uncomfortable.
I’m not a “Do as I say, not as I do” type of person. I’ve said that same prayer to myself. Actually, my life bears the fruit of that prayer. I want to preface this by saying that this piece isn’t going to be a “self-help” guru-type article. I can’t give you any clickbait-worthy lists of things to do to change your life. There’s no magic elixir to sell. What I do have are my scars that formed from winning against the battles I’ve faced, fought, and conquered. The same battles that return with a different enemy’s name, but with the familiar plan of attacks.
In life, we are often assigned to a box that we’re expected to live in- the box that defines us and how we are perceived by the people who make up the society we live in. People often allow titles of positions to be what defines their entire personality and how they operate in this life. I teach several workshops, and one of my favorites is a weekly journaling class I created for the city I live in. When new students join, I have them answer a set of questions:
- What’s your name?
- How young are you?
- Name something fun/quirky/or unique about yourself?
- Why are you here?
- What is your job?
Notice how I didn’t ask about any role or position they hold in their life until after I ask about them, their personality, and something personal to share. Why? Because I want them to start owning their identity and no longer allow themselves to be defined by what they do during the hours of 9 to 5. Listen, I get it, some people choose their career paths because they have some character trait that thrives in the particular industry they work in. Someone who loves children would obviously work in the realm of education or childcare-adjacent career paths. Oftentimes, many don’t pick the positions they assume in life; rather, it is chosen for them by others and circumstances out of their control. Comfort is a word that elicits the response of feeling cozy and comfortable as you light fall-scented candles and maybe have a drink of your favorite pumpkin spice latte. For me, comfort means settling into a place of safety, but after surviving all that I’ve been lucky to live through, I realize being comfortable isn’t keeping you from harm- it’s keeping you stuck in places disguised as safe…but it’s really a place where living fully goes to die.
I know, I know, kind of dramatic…But I want to challenge you to look at your life right in this moment. How many of you can say that you have something that you know in your heart you’re meant to do, but the idea of losing your so-called “safety net” in order to do that, terrifies you? It is cliché, but true, the best things in life are on the other side of fear. Might I add that the things you desire cannot come to you while you remain in that space of being “safe.” Boldness. Courage. Whatever you label it, can’t stick to the box you keep yourself in. So today, I want to say…. Get ready for it… “I hope you become so uncomfortable, you have no choice but to move.” May the box you’ve kept yourself buried in be destroyed, and you emerge into the person you’re meant to be.
This was written by our contributing writer, Raeshan Hart.
The image used in this article is Raeshan speaking in front of her students; she gave us permission to use it.
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