EMBRACING UNCOMFORTABILITY: WHAT ARE YOUR WAITING FOR?
by James C. Rodriguez
President and Chief Executive Officer - Fathers & Families Coalition of America
During the process of pushing beyond what is the business as usual working with fathers and families by developing a cutting-edge fatherhood life coach program has stimulated in-depth conversations with colleagues internationally. I have listened to several colleagues that prompted me to consider, “How often do you hold onto what is comfortable?” I based this by so many who want to get engaged into something they’re passionate but stay with the known comforts of the same. These conversations with peers who demonstrate confidence in what they do as professionals but are not necessarily happy. Therefore, I poise this question to you and me, “What are you waiting for?”
Honestly, you are the only you ever. I recently re-read a post written in 2011 by Dr. Ali Binazir[i] that made me reflect about the probability of another you. In short, science suggests there is a probability as miraculous as that could be scientifically founded but as stated miraculous. I argue even deeper, there will never be anyone ever like you! You are the only one created just like you. You are the only one to experience the life you live, experienced and will journey. You are the only one that will have relationships intended for you. You are the only one with a unique passion or maybe you have allowed yourself to be in a box. Dr. Binazir, wrote that it would be a miracle for another one of you, I believe that it is an impossibility, period. Because no other person has lived your life, experienced your emotions, the warmth of summer days nor the coolness of winter nights that you have experienced. No one has tried like you…fallen like you...aimed for the stars…done more with your life instead of wondering what if…no one has run the race of your life. no one has run to the destiny you have envisioned… no one has embraced the uncomfortability of your life to achieve the success and have done and want to continue doing something with life like you have done… then it is safe there can never be another you regardless of what the statistical probability of creation of your DNA. It is impossible for the creation to live the life we all have like no other.
Interestingly, the readings of the data used that “the probability of your being born at about one in 400 trillion” and further research that takes the estimates from 1:400 trillion to 1:700 trillion. All the calculations, probabilities and if a turtle stuck its head out in the ocean does not consider life’s storms that were meant just for you or me. Life is a process of “peaks and valleys” or not just pushing past uncomfortable situations but embracing uncomfortability. We all will be met with pivotal moments to be the you are created to be for not just you but others. Over two decades ago, in a discussion, my colleague shared I did not meet up to their expectations and or perceptions. I smiled, “I hope not, moreover, I hope never to be in the box you are used to define and or identify me.” I paused and shared that if I see that box I would kick it down the road because I would not want to be placed in a box limiting my potential. Limiting potential happens to all of us in brief moments of life but to live with limitations prevents the purpose of your life, my life and impacts globally. I often wonder if people are seeking for something different then, What Are You Waiting For?!
Sadly, more than 1/3 of Americans are not fully satisfied with a major part of their lives, their purpose. Forbes[ii] reports on how we feel content with our “jobs” not so much our passion and or purpose but where many go to work. When ambition is lacking this impact one’s overall attitude staying stuck on expectancy of dissatisfaction. The Conference Board Job Satisfaction survey[iii] reports more…maybe you are just unhappy. Embracing that this day, regardless of any challenges just allow for the opportunities to grow. I have a statement on one of the curriculums I developed that “failure is not fatality.” The problem for not allowing to get through the breaking point and embrace the challenges in your life, family, relationships or business allow you to get through without giving up too soon. This may require getting your focus corrected to find your vision, let alone your “envision.” I shared to a group are you suffering from myopia, not physical vision but loss of your vision. If you have lost your vision, suffer from myopia, placed yourself in a box, staying suck in unhappiness or decide not to press through your breaking points you miss out on breakthrough. I know how it feels to push through embracing uncomfortability and the other side of not getting through the pain of uncomfortability. Withstanding the discomfort brings greater contention and focus, what are you waiting for?
In a 2017, book interview, the author asked, “James, what do you see the future of the fatherhood practitioner?” I paused to consider that with the most powerful tools helping professions have is their vision and passion. When these intersect into envision reduces what holds back others helping others. Envision shakes the distractions to funnel into purpose and going against the Forbes report and quite frankly, science that anyone could ever be just like you or just like me, when our passion is awakened. Today, is the moment to take the challenge to through your whole self into your destiny that no one else could ever not even 700 trillion others, only you can embrace and give to others. Stay committed to your passion. Stay committed to your happiness. Stay committed to the breaking points and push forward through the uncomfortability to get your breakthroughs of life. Embracing uncomfortability in the storms, because once you get through it then it is so fulfilling and prepares you for the next challenge and the joy of helping others that need a push.
Embrace Uncomfortability-What are you waiting for?
[i] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-ali-binazir/probability-being-born_b_877853.html
[ii] https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/06/20/most-americans-are-unhappy-at-work/#4eceba74341a
[iii] https://www.conference-board.org/publications/publicationdetail.cfm?publicationid=2785¢erId=4