What happens when you intentionally go someplace difficult

What happens when you intentionally go someplace difficult is that you start to feel uncomfortable very quickly. Even though you knew that this was going to hurt, you’re still a little shocked by it. Like you’ve just jumped into a pool full of ice water. It takes your breath away. Your mind races, struggling to accept the temperature, willing your legs to go numb already and at the same time assessing your physical likelihood of making it.

If it’s right and true and worthwhile, you’ll also feel a kind of pride. Not everyone has the guts to jump. You are here. You are alive. For the moment, anyway.

You looked at this place in the distance and said, “This might kill me.” You looked it in the eyes, charted the way in your mind.

And now that you’re here, you’re still taken aback by how non-linear the road feels. It looked steep, but not so twisted. So many false starts . Such misdirection, and those circular bypasses; a hero’s journey gone awry.

Your muscles like to grow more than your brain does. The work will feel good. Caffeine in your system, hours on the clock, ballad raging through the speaker. This is your moment. Your legs can run. Your arms can lift.

But your heart is another organ altogether. Your heart, silly muscle, must work a craft. Must be measured in the bonds it builds, in the vulnerability it allows, in the hardships it feels keenly. Not every passing word is personal. But with passion are those who come too close to the flame. You’ll scorch them if you don’t take care. And you, my friend, burn hot and white.

The pressure crescendos. This is the place where people leave. Where the girls are separated from the women. Be intentional. Don’t doubt the purpose. Stay the course. Carry on, drive on. Carry on and on, drive on.

This is the place where the old you will go away. You’ll get out and look back and not recognize the person who started. It’s as much about loss as gain. For gain or loss isn’t the point. And indeed, the path out brings perspective and confidence.

With this knowledge, though, there can be only one course. Of course, you’ll break it all down again. Get lost anew. Only then will growth endure.