This is why a Comfortable Life Could be an Illusion

[Adapted from my Book, “Turning Your Setbacks into Major Comebacks]

So a few weeks back, I did mention that there is a group of people that you should show the window when they show up at your office or house. These are the bunch who are selling ‘secrets to success’ that require you to do nothing but ‘pay a small fee’ to acquire their proven and tested secret. Once again, show them the window, it is a faster way out!

Then…there is also another bunch of well meaning people. I have been in this bunch before. For some reason, this bunch is made up of ‘spiritual people’. They are well meaning because they fully advocate for your comfort (read status quo). They tend to tell you what you want to hear, not in malice but in ‘care’. Let me give you an example:

 More than a decade ago, a certain organization for which my dad was part of was engaged in an ugly tussle over money and leadership.

This religious organization would almost always guarantee the country of Sunday drama for close to a whole month! It so got to me seeing my dad on TV under those circumstances. So I sought counsel from a young Pastor. He told me the following:

“Everything is going to be OK. Your dad’s organization will resolve this. Things will be very fine since you are a child of God”

Even as he spoke, my young mind did not grasp it. Yes, I needed counsel…but I did not need pampering. What he told me did not work…and frankly, from that day on, it has always been an embarassing encounter meeting him in the streets.

There is an interesting relationship between reality and hope, action and faith. There is a group of people who would want to dwell on hope while negating reality, and exist in faith while negating action. 

Again, like I said, this group of people are well meaning…but honestly I could say that they are not balanced. They could be ignorant…or less knowledgeable. Much as they are well meaning, it does not always follow that their advice will work.

The philosophy that advocates for a smooth like glass life from beginning to end is flawed, un-scriptural and deceitful. In life, there are three things that are interestingly related:

• Reality: Especially when the reality you are facing is a crisis, you seldom want to accept it. You wish it was not there. Not accepting reality is living in denial. Living in denial effectively dis-empowers you from making quick adjustments that would initially put you on a path of recovery.
• Comfort: Who does not want a comfortable life? Who wants a life of struggle all the time? The paradox however is that without the struggle…where will the comfort come from? So if anyone is giving you a therapeautic advice that borders on maintaining your comfort and quitting your ‘struggle’, think twice before you take the advice.
• Hope: Hope alone is not a strategy. A good therapist will want you to explore some immediate options that you can take while you are waiting for your breakthrough to come. A crisis is not a stamp on your forehead that you are now vegetative, only the Divine can come through for you. Hope alone as a strategy makes you immobile and paralyzed, waiting for an outside force to help…or waiting for time to elapse so respite can come.

I have come to realize that this is not just in business, but also in life…especially the life of a visionary. Makes sense? Share your thoughts.