You deprive us of your unique contribution if you won’t sacrifice for the common good and disrupt your comfortable lifestyle. Self-actualization, and the attainment of any meaningful aspiration, is not a reward for comfort seekers.
A cyclist climbed a lengthy hill every day in solitude. Cars streamed by as she pedaled slowly and painfully up the steep grade. Her face was flush; sweat poured from her body. Her hands clutched the handlebars in obvious strain. Her quivering thighs rotated the pedals as she inched up the hill, day after day.
One afternoon a motorist in an air-conditioned car pulled to the side of the road about fifty feet ahead of the cyclist. He wanted to know why she chose and endured this discomfort. When she approached, he waved her down.
“What keeps you pedaling up this hill every day?” he asked.
“If I stopped pedaling,” she gasped, “the bike would fall over.”
She passed him. The motorist stood dumbfounded in silence, and then zoomed ahead of her. He pulled over again and waited for her approach.
“But why do you start this climb every day?” he asked.
“I am a cyclist,” she panted. “And the only way to reach my potential is through discomfort. When I choose comfort, I’m done growing.”
When we stop the pain of pedaling, we forfeit the adventurous climb to reach our fullest potential. When we choose comfort, we’re done growing.
“Success is a comfort awarded only to those willing to do the uncomfortable. Growth requires a constant state of discomfort so get used to it.” – Darren Hardy
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