I heard an interview a while back on NPR with Judy Collins. It was a great interview. And there was one thing she said that got me thinking. And the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to add a caveat. Collins said, “You’ve got to go through it to get out of it.” And, she’s absolutely right. I wholeheartedly agree. You’ve got to go through whatever it is, once you are in it, to get to the other side.
You have to. It’s the only way out. As hard as it can be, there is no other path and typically there is immense value in the phase of moving through something difficult while on your way to the other side. That’s where the learning, growth and change occur. It’s sad to say, but you’ve got no real choice. If you actually want to get to the other side, the only way there is through. Often hard, but true.
So, through the muck you go, keeping your eyes, ears and emotions open. But, (and here’s my caveat) you don’t have to stay and chat! You don’t need to make friends, wallow, lounge, doddle, or take in the scenery. Don’t settle in and get comfortable. Instead, move along with intention and resolve. Be kind to yourself, acknowledge where you are, notice how you got there, and pay close attention as you purposely move through and get to the other side.
As Winston Churchill said, “When you are going through hell, keep going.”