Every failure is an opportunity for growth. It is easy to see that. But also: A little bad feeling is a little opportunity for growth. It is easy to overlook that—and to deaden little bad feelings with little bad pleasures (sugar, drugs, porn, entertainment).* Let us take good, mindful little steps on our path to greatness. Let us walk with little bad feelings.
* Advanced insight: Sometimes we choose little bad pleasures not to make us feel better, but to avoid feeling out of control. For example: When I feel bad and I think about eating sugar, I do not want to get a brief mouth pleasure (I know that this would not satisfy me). Rather, I want to feel even worse and to be able to point my finger at the sugar for causing these feelings. If the sugar is responsible for my bad feelings, I feel in control again: then I can make a simple actionable plan—stop eating sugar—that distracts me from the true roots of my feelings. Running towards a goal always helps to flee from oneself, even (or especially?) if it is a self-improvement goal. To gain self-knowledge, however, I must stay with my bad feelings without pointing fingers, that is, without using straw causes to distract myself. For personal growth, I must walk in uncertainty—and walk with little bad feelings.
Further Reading
- How to Forge an Indomitable Will
- Everyday Mindfulness: Awareness Over Feelings
- Is Meditation an Escape from Life?
- Is Happiness the End Goal?
- Why Every Life Philosophy Is A “Feel Good” Philosophy
- How Drugs Impede Self-Mastery
- How to Take Action Without Judging
- This One Decision-Making Habit Will Change Your Life