Nothing Can Ever Be Ignored Out Of Existence

There is great opportunity in confronting the things that make us most uncomfortable. The alternative is incredibly unappealing, too.

Photo by Nikola Johnny Mirkovic

I’ve always felt a mixture of fascination and exasperation about how most of us approach difficult issues. I write ”approach” instead of “deal with” on purpose, because generally we choose not to deal with what makes us uncomfortable, however critical it may be for us to face it.

It appears we become children again when it comes to confront our demons. We close our eyes and wish them away. The naiveté of it is almost cute. Except there is often much at stake. For us and for those around us.

I’ve seen friends close doors so they wouldn’t have to listen to a documentary on astrophysics because the sheer thought of how small we are was unbearable to them. I’ve seen so many drink themselves to the brink of bankruptcy in a desperate attempt to drown their insecurities and loosen their tongues. Others walk their loneliness around on a leash because tackling it would be an unimaginable feat.

Then there is the incompetent colleague that nobody does anything about. Or the unreliable friend we keep counting on. We are so uncomfortable with conflict that we have become rather adept at…