How do you interpret the quote by Rumi, "Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious," in the context of your own journey and aspirations?
Follow the CodeNewbie Org and #codenewbie for more discussions and online camaraderie!
Top comments (13)
I think it's a pendulem which can swing too far in either direction.
We strive comfort, perhaps too much, when faced with particularly uncomfortable, perhaps toxic, situations — and likewise when we get too comfortable, it's not exactly a good place to be for thriving. I think we need to be challenged to grow and be happy.
Only one thing comes to mind: "Good times make weak men, weak men make bad times, bad times make good men, good men make good times..." So yeah, don't get too comfy
Yes. Love this reminder. It's another way to say,
Comfort is good while taking a break but in my experience when most people get comfortable they settle with the way things are and don't feel the need to grow from that point. A lot of times you may see me end posts and comments with "Happy Venturing" or #HappyVenturing. It's my way of saying break away from your comfort zone and never stop growing..
P.S. Happy Venturing 😉
I like your interpretation a lot, Jordan!
I totally agree that there's value in comfort when taking a break — and speaking from my personal experience, I believe it's healthy for me to take breaks otherwise I start to feel burnt out.
However, it's also healthy for me to push myself, be open to new things, and have the discipline to continually learn & grow! Getting too comfortable can cause me to be complacent or lose my ambition to expand on the things I know.
Self discipline is key 🙂
Interested to know more about this Rumi person, sounds like an interesting book?
But anyways the quote sounds dangerous if taken literally "Destroy your reputation", even though I secretly whish to break away from some things..
Haha! I absolutely feel you.
I had to laugh at the whole "Destroy your reputation. Be notorious," part. I think I get what you mean Rumi, but this is a bit much... do we really have to take it that far?
Yes. Super overrated. Don't really agree much with the quote. But I'm fully convinced that too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing.
You have to thread between too much comfort and too much risk.
I left a comfortable corporate position to return to school, eventually entering a PhD program. It was a leap of faith to some extent, but I'm very happy with the way things have turned out.
However, there is a selection bias there. If things hadn't gone well, I could be cursing my own stupidity now.
Comfort should be looked at as a tool, or something to use in moderation. There are times when comfort can lead to mental or physical recovery, which is absolutely necessary at times.
But, becoming too comfortable with comfort leads to complacency. In order to grow and improve (if that's the desired income) you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Rewiring your brain to recognize comfort as growth will help you tremendously to cope with that discomfort, and use it to your advantage.
Some argue title loan with no job that getting too comfortable can lead to complacency. Stepping out of one's comfort zone can be a catalyst for personal growth and innovation. Pushing boundaries often leads to new experiences and insights.
Lies, lies and chicken thighs. The wealthy do not give up their comfort for a heartbeat. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Cause it's a trap!
I've lived my own life on the wild side. But without stability, unless you're a terribly lucky putz, you'll never gain traction.
I think a healthier mindset is to figure out a growth narrative works for you. From your own brain-bin as you know yourself better than anyone breathing. The bootstrap narrative is trash, it implies those who cannot gain success do so due to their own personal failings. Yet in reality, none of us are playing on a level field. Pretending there is a single force, willpower, that gives all humans success is flawed logic. It's basically a lie to say that some people are more deserving of wealth and happiness than others. And much like The Bell Curve, it's a racist and flawed concept.
Personal accountability does come into play for most of us. As we are our own keepers, at least a lucky majority of us. But equally most of us tend to have many variables that shift our hold on ourselves and the world around us. Would be false to think otherwise.
With that being said, I agree with Maslow that if your base-most needs are not being met you cannot focus on high levels of personal growth. Life itself seems like a balance of obligations versus personal affairs. And while I can't speak on it with any personal experience it seems the higher you transcend the ladder, the more privilege you gain. In turn gaining more time and safety to work on your personal affairs.
This is all one giant rant to repeat that individuals must find their own motivations (intrinsic & external) and unveil their own metrics for growth and success. It would be wrong to say that growth lives explicitly in bold actions. If that were true, government jobs would sit empty across the globe ;P!
Just do you, and as long as you've not given up hope on yourself you'll be fine. Nothing is permanent, dreams can change. Anything learned is never a loss, no matter how obscure. Just keep shifting with the sand and you'll find a/your place eventually.