The actor, Ashton Kutcher, once said, “I’m continually trying to make choices that put me against my own comfort zone. As long as you’re uncomfortable, it means you’re growing.” This sentiment particularly resonates with me. I tend to strive on having everything exactly the way I want it. I’m very particular. I function best with regular routines. While I’ve never been officially diagnosed, I could imagine myself having OCD…yes the dirty dishes in my dishwasher can only be placed one specific way.
Since I acknowledge this as being an intrinsic part of who I am and I understand the need to have balance, I really go out of my way (on occasion) to get out of my comfort zone. Case in point, this week Lisa and I took a short trip to The Long Point Biosphere Reserve on the shores of Lake Erie. It’s quite a site to see….bog and marsh and endless beautiful wilderness and scenery. But it was humid, it rained, and there were so many bugs. To say that I was uncomfortable was an understatement. I feel guilty…what kind of person who touts himself as being an environmentalist does not want to be in the habitat that he feels is so important to protect???
For many, what I have just described is not the definition of a nice vacation. And I guess I would have to agree. But it was cathartic. I learned a lot about myself. I got a lot off my chest. And I don’t think it could have happened if I was whooping it up in a lap of luxury. Nature can look beautiful but that doesn’t mean it feels beautiful. And that very well can be a good thing.
