It might have been Abraham Lincoln that said, “Discover where you’re uncomfortable, go there and get comfortable.” Or something along those lines. It’s a challenge to step outside of your comfort zone and learn new things and test yourself in different ways.

I recently started a new job, and I must admit I’m not very comfortable with it. It is completely foreign to me in so many ways and I’m having to learn a brand-new trade from scratch. When you’re uncomfortable at doing something, you’re really not sure if you’re any good at it or not. The outcome is unknown because you are not exactly sure where you are going or how to get there, and for me that’s the most uncomfortable part. But each day, with some great support, I get a little bit more comfortable as I press on.

Life is funny like that; you think you’re going to be spending the rest of your life doing one thing and then God comes along and kicks the chair you’re relaxing on out from underneath you. All of a sudden, you’re doing something you never thought in a million years you’d be doing.

I try to ease my mind by trying to convince myself this new career is all part of God’s plan, but I don’t know if it is or not. There’s a pretty good chance I’ve made a wrong turn or two along the way in my life, so I’m pretty sure I ended here on my own doing and not God’s.

If I had taken a job in something I was already comfortable with, then I would have no doubt in my ability to get the job done. I would not lack confidence, direction or ideas because I am already comfortable walking in those shoes. I’d know what worked and what didn’t work, and I would have little fear of making mistakes. ‘Been there, done that’ type of attitude would carry me through.

You’ve heard the phrase, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” well that’s probably true for a lot of things, but not for everything. I still think an old dog can learn new tricks; it just takes a lot of patience from the person doing the training. I guess I need my ears rubbed a lot more than I used to.

Without question, I’m extremely grateful for this new opportunity regardless of how uncomfortable it makes me feel. But I see it as a challenge. I’m gonna figure it out and I will get better at my job. I’m excited about the day when my discomfort turns into comfort, it’s just going to take some time.

My dad made a comment to me several years ago that I have never forgotten. To this day, I’m not exactly sure what he meant by it, but I think I’m beginning to figure it out.

He said, “Todd, a man can get used to anything in life except for gravel in his shoes.”

I’ve never forgotten that statement. I guess it can mean whatever you want it to mean to you, but to me he was telling me that I should never get too comfortable in life and assume I have arrived. There is always work to be done and we need a little gravel in our shoes to remind us of that. Being uncomfortable ain’t a bad thing.

I simply cannot imagine my life without any discomfort in it, is that even possible? What would life be like if all we had were good times?

I don’t want to be caught slapping myself on the back for a job well done when I have yet to do all I want to do for myself and for others.

I have learned in my later years of life that it is very easy to get caught up in just going through the motions and only trying to make it to the end of the day. Walking through life without emotion, passion or urgency is my greatest fear.

Never in a million years did I think I’ll be starting a brand-new career at my age. It is not where I thought I’d be at this time in my life, but it is exactly where I want to be, and I am beyond grateful.

I don’t like being uncomfortable, and I don’t like having gravel in my shoes. But my dad is right, to get anywhere in life, I have to learn to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

So, bring on the gravel.

***

Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to thowey63@gmail.com.