Has someone ever challenged you to explain what the *$% you are up to? The noble idea that it’s OK for people to agree to disagree is a challenge for lots of people. Good luck.
Being part of a family, tribe, group, or nation is a comfort zone for everyone. Mostly there is agreement to not ruffle any feathers. Safe. But what do you think about it? Kind of a hard thing to have your own individual thoughts and ideas and not upset anyone else, right?
Pretty soon you don’t even want to know how you feel about it yourself because it might be hard to explain, so what’s the point. There is a point.
The point is that you, the person, have your own life, and it is only yours when you can know your own way of walking through it. I know from personal experience what it is to be so dead inside from the safe habit of hiding out from the outside world. Life can be challenging, but not really living into the challenge is a greater tragedy.
Life is a series of challenges that can be embraced or avoided. The joy that comes with embracing challenges is like a muscle that gets exercised and gets stronger. Every step taken to expand life into a wider playing field is a step out into fresh air and a wider view of the who you are. Every wider view of who you are is a chance to feel good.
I don’t mean to ignore the pain and ugliness that floats by every day. Choosing how to swim carefully through the river of life is a character building experience, and the muscle that develops is strength, yours alone to keep and celebrate.
Go out there and celebrate every achievement, no matter how big or small, it’s yours.