What a deep and thoughtful topic this is.
The truth is, we all enjoy comfort, as it is sweet, but then we don't quickly realize how powerful it also is in slowing our growth. I never really realized nor understood that as well until life came at me.
For a very long time, my life, days, years and moments followed same rhythm, I was always around same people, same street, always seeing the same faces and my dreams too didn't go beyond that. I thought that was all, I told myself I was content, but deep down within me, I was just too scared to start all over, to go to a different place or they a different thing. It was like this comfort of mine is my safe space.
Without notice, something happened, the place I was working decided to just close up and switch places. My boss told me he's sorry and that I shouldn't worry I will find somewhere more better, but then, those words weren't enough. I just stood there looking at him as he handed me an envelope, it's obvious that was my last pay. And I just stood there wondering how I will cope, and how I will be able to breathe outside of the only space I knew.
There weren't any opportunities like that where I was, the best thing I could do for myself was to move to another city. I was afraid, I only had little savings, but then, I had to. It wasn't easy, I experienced hunger, sleepless nights, doubts and a whole lot. There are times I would just run back home to the comfort of my family, or go to a friends place for some time. And each time I was to return, I would remember how stuck, unsafe and uncomfortable I felt there.
But then, I just had to summon courage. I began to face my reality, I learned skills, met with new people, gathered ideas, saw people who saw more in me than I knew, and slowly, little by little I began to grow and I let go of the fear of starting all over.
The truth is, having to leave comfort behind won't happen once, it's a choice we have to make on a daily. Each and every time we take a step, forgive, try again, speak up, move and all, we are walking away from that which is easy to that which is real and true.
Presently, am a Corp member, serving the father's land. The NYSC program hasn't been that easy, and through it, life has once again tested my courage. Early last week, I received my deployment letter, I have been posted to a new state, and a town I didn't want.. it's far from everything I want. And for some moment, that fear returned. But then again, I had to remind myself that each and every growth I had experienced came after I had to let go of what was comfortable. And who knows, maybe this too is part of that story.
Also, I feel the need to include this, the fact that it is comfort doesn't always mean it is peace. I can say that most times, it is just fear in disguise. It might keep you cool and warm, but then it will also keep you limited and small. And there's beauty in it, the beauty isn't in the pain of that which we lose, but it's in the strength of what we discover. Courage finds expression when comfort ends.
So, if life ever had to push you from what feels/looks safe, take your time, don't find it too hard. It might not be rejection, it may just be some redirection. And who knows, maybe that discomfort you fear is that place where your real story is meant to begin.
All pictures are mine.
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