I started out my career as a high-school Physics and Math teacher. I got used to dealing with all kinds of discomfort from that, some of it simply because of the reputation Physics has. Students were uncomfortable at times, of course, as is the case when learning how to think in a new way, and people I met in the course of living life often didn’t know how to respond when I told them that this is how I earned my living :).
In more recent years, I have done a lot of thinking about this experience called “discomfort.” In a way, it is a form of ‘potential’ because often people want to do something to close the gap between discomfort and comfort. They want to dissipate the energy that is generated in the state of discomfort.
Using the idea of ‘potential’ or ‘energy’ as a representation for discomfort, here is what I am seeing now. People’s experience of discomfort can get focused through whatever ‘lens’ they put that energy through, just like the energy of light gets focused through lenses made of glass. The image I have of it is borrowed from a common Physics diagram (see top of article).
Or in just words: DISCOMFORT through LENS ⇒ FOCAL POINT
For example, if our discomfort travels through a lens called CURIOSITY, our focal point can be LEARNING.
DISCOMFORT through CURIOSITY ⇒ LEARNING
Here are some others that come to mind:
DISCOMFORT through HUMOR ⇒ SARCASM
DISCOMFORT through POWER ⇒ DOMINATION
DISCOMFORT through BLAME ⇒ RESENTMENT
DISCOMFORT through LOVE ⇒ COMPASSION
DISCOMFORT through EXCITEMENT ⇒ ADVENTURE
Feel free to add others that you ‘see’ or experience in the comments. And, If you’d like to look more deeply at this experience called discomfort and perhaps even be more at choice regarding what ‘lens’ you are focusing that discomfort with, here is a book for you:
Audiobook version now available on Spotify, Audiobooks, Googleplay, Chirp, and Kobo. Coming to other popular sites soon.
Anna Switzer, PhD is a long-time outdoor educator, science educator, and educator of educators. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics, a masters in Oceanography, and a PhD in Education. Anna has worked for several prominent organizations including National Geographic Society, Outward Bound and EL Education
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License to Learn
A book to be reread, shared, and put into action!
“Anna's book is rich with examples, suggestions, and ideas to create a life filled with curiosity, adventure, and resilience, as well as comfort with discomfort. A valuable resource for therapists as well as educators.” - Dorothy Beerger (read the full review on Amazon.com)
A Book to Help Us Flourish!
“I love this book! It was hard to put down. The author, Anna Switzer, is a student of adventure, psychology and life, and this is the story of how she’s helped others transform their lives, all the while growing into the remarkable human being she is today...” - Patrick M. (read the full review on Amazon.com)
Gumption, Guts, and Wisdom
“Curiosity is the key to getting us out of the comfort zone and into the learning zone," says the author of License to Learn. What I loved about this book were the well-told personal stories inviting me along on Switzer's journey in combination with the well-researched science of the brain and theory of experiential education...” - Persnickety (read the full review on Amazon.com)
Every Educator Should Read This Book!!!
“I have been in the field of education for over 30 years and "License to Learn" connected with me in so many ways! I was familiar with many of the educational terms and theories mentioned in the book, but these terms are clearly explained for the reader, not in the field of education...” - Lucy K. (read the full review on Amazon.com)
Take a chance on this book.
“Anecdotal, with a beautiful push for continuing your drive to learn, and taking/making learning choices. Another wonderful tool for educators and seekers alike.” - Samuel (read the full review on Amazon.com)