If we stay where we are, where we're stuck, where we're comfortable and safe, we die there. We become like mushrooms, living in the dark, with poop up to our chins. If you want to know only what you already know, you're dying. You're saying: Leave me alone; I don't mind this little rathole. It's warm and dry. Really, it's fine.When nothing new can get in, that's death. When oxygen can't find a way in, you die. But new is scary, and new can be disappointing, and confusing - we had this all figured out, and now we don't.New is life.
In her book "Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers," Anne Lamott emphasizes the importance of embracing change and stepping out of our comfort zones. She warns against the dangers of stagnation, where we become complacent and fail to seek growth. This complacency resembles a life lived in darkness, where we are comfortable yet suffocated by familiarity, leading to a slow metaphorical death. Lamott urges us to confront the discomfort that comes with new experiences, as avoiding them ultimately leads to a dull and unfulfilling existence.
By highlighting the fear and confusion that accompany newness, Lamott invites us to recognize these feelings as natural obstacles on the path to true vitality. Rather than settling for a safe, predictable life, she encourages us to open ourselves to new possibilities and experiences, fostering personal growth and enriching our lives. In essence, newness signifies life, while stagnation signifies death, pushing us to embrace the uncertain adventures that lay ahead.
