First World Problems
Juggling the Paradox of Desire and Discomfort in Modern Life
Dear Reader,
I am feeling discomfort in my body. Over the past week, I've been grappling with allergies, balancing hormones, and struggling with my digestion. Is everyone's body this uncomfortable, or is it just me who seems to feel the challenge of wearing this skin suit? Perhaps it does not bother others as much as it does me, or maybe it does behind closed doors. Honestly, I am grateful for my health. Beyond my “first world problems,” I am in good health. I know there are many out there far worse off than I am. On the other hand, there are those who are not burdened by discomfort at all. Or maybe that is an assumption as well.
Is it right to say that to be human is to experience discomfort of the body and mind? “Life is suffering,” right? For we are separated from the One Source. Or perhaps we feel discomfort because the Earth herself is in dis-ease. Do we not reflect her health? Born onto her world in her great likeness, we are elements in form. It is easy to want to fix the discomfort, to seek ease from the suffering. And to do so is as simple as flipping a switch— or so they say. To this, I respond both yes and no. To redirect (or distract) the mind—yes, that is as easy as flipping a switch. But to keep it from wandering back requires a deeper unpacking of the identity and its attachments.
It is simple to say, “accept the now as it is,” and yet we are still human with the “original sin” of desire. Desire—a double-edged sword in my humble opinion. It simultaneously drives us forward—without it, we would not have innovation. And yet it keeps us from the simple solution of acceptance. Maybe the trick to desire is not “either or” but the tried and true golden rule of “yes and.” We can desire change and something different for ourselves and still accept the current present now.
As I write this, it is the Gemini New Moon. An idyllic time to manifest your wildest dreams and share your gifts with the world. Both of which are rooted in desire. We dream about what we want in life and how we wish to spend our time. We desire to share our gifts with the world in the hopes of being seen, heard, or recognized. We desire to change the world and how we show up in it. And all of this is beautiful as we strive towards more harmony and peace in our lives.
Desire is often shamed in many philosophies for its pull from the present now and acceptance of what is. Material and sexual desires are labeled as distractions from the NOW. While there is some truth to this, I do not think we should shame it so fiercely. I began this contemplation with feelings of discomfort—generalized to what arises when we are separated from Source. Because we feel this discomfort, we are pulled to wanting peace and unity. This very dissonance brings forth the awareness of where we are out of harmony, where we are not caring for ourselves, or revealing to us places requiring our attention.
Perhaps it is bold to say that desire and discomfort are two sides of the same coin, but let's play with this for a moment. Discomfort often arises because what we desire is different from our current reality. This notion can apply to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels of existence. But can we honestly say the opposite is true? That if we felt no discomfort, it would mean our desires would subside and fall away? In the spirit of Gemini, I believe this too is not an either-or but a yes-and scenario. We can be in full acceptance of what is and honor the current place in the stream of time, yet still desire to move forward toward an envisioned future.
As I navigate these feelings of discomfort, I am reminded of the importance of embracing both desire and acceptance. They are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary forces that drive our growth and understanding. Through this lens, we can see our discomfort not as a curse but as a guide, pointing us towards areas in our lives that need attention and care.
By acknowledging our desires and accepting our present circumstances, we create a balanced approach to personal growth. We honor our humanity and our drive to improve while maintaining a compassionate acceptance of where we are right now. This balance is not always easy to achieve, but it is a worthy pursuit.
As we move through life, juggling the discomforts and desires that arise, we can find peace in the interplay between acceptance and aspiration. If we embrace our desires as motivators for change while cultivating a deep acceptance of our present reality, we honor the fullness of our human experience and create a harmonious path forward.
And so I invite you to take a moment to reflect on a time when discomfort spurred a desire for change in your life. How did you navigate the tension between acceptance and desire? What did you learn about yourself in the process? Share with me in the comments or respond to this email :)
Your Fellow Gemini Moon,
