Discomfort: Life's Catalyst

Into each life a little discomfort must fall . . . otherwise, we can never grow.

 Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

Discomfort: Life’s Catalyst

About ten years ago—or so—I shut a door on a part of my life. Closed it for good. And yeah . . . it hurt. But it was time.

There are a lot of reasons I could give you, but the short version is this: I got tired. Really tired. Tired of trying to break through people’s illusions.

One illusion in particular kept smacking me in the face—the idea that someone, somewhere, is going to do the work for you. With no effort on your part.

And I mean . . . come on. Nobody can go to the bathroom for you. And there is no such thing as a free lunch.

People get confused because sometimes life looks like that’s how it works . . . at least according to the ads. Take a massage for example. You lie there, the therapist does all the work, and your only responsibility is to flip over halfway through.

But that’s not how life works. Or growth. Or self-improvement. Or outgrowing habits that have had you in a headlock for years.

Those things require effort—your effort. And a lot of people don’t buy that.

I follow a photographer online. Crazy talented guy. Also obese—and getting bigger by the day. He’s constantly talking about how much he works out. But his videos tell a different story. There’s no change. No effect.l

My guess? He thinks the workout is enough. It isn’t.

He’d also have to change how he eats, how he drinks, and—maybe the hardest part—give up magical thinking.

Magical thinking is hocus-pocus. Magic bullets don’t exist. Neither do magic wands. If they did, trust me, I’d be talking to you right now from a palace on the beach.

Look at the self-improvement industry. They sell programs. Step-by-step systems. And you’ll never guess this—about 95% of the people who buy them don’t actually follow them.

They think paying for them is the work. They believe now they can sit back and wait for the transformation.

That’s fantasy.

Same thing with wealth seminars, AA meetings, house-flipping workshops—whatever it is. The steps matter. You have to do them.

But too often, people think attendance alone is enough.

If you went to a geometry class and never did the homework, the only circumference of a circle you’d understand is the hole you stick your head up.

Somewhere along the line, our culture morphed from “No pain, no gain” to “No pain, no pain.”

If it’s uncomfortable—even a little—we bail. And the list of justifications for not doing the work? Endless.

I call this the “World War II Water-Down Theory.”

I’m the child of a World War II veteran. My parents had it rough. They shielded me from a lot of what they went through. I’m a parent. I did the same thing for my kids. They have children now—and those kids have it even easier.

Each generation a little softer. A little more protected.

And look—I’m not saying that’s bad. But here’s the trade-off:

Discomfort is often the signal that you’re learning something new. it's awkward because the new thing is not second nature yet. And it never will be if you don’t follow through.

For me, it boils down to this: Life has discomforts. And the only way out . . . is through.

Or like one of my teachers used to say: “The ripe fruit is out on the skinny branches.”

You want the reward? You’re going to have to feel a little uneasy reaching for it.

And just so you know—I’m uncomfortable saying all of this. Even writing it. So I’m genuinely curious what this discomfort is here to teach me.

All the best,

John