Ain’t That A VHIT
By Von C. Howard
I am learning that one of the hardest things a person can do is challenge themselves beyond the comfort of familiarity. Comfort can feel like an old recliner in the living room: worn, familiar, and easy to settle into after a long day. The problem is that if you sit there too long, life can quietly pass you by while you convince yourself you are simply “being content.” There is a difference between peace and complacency, and I am learning that growth often begins when we decide to get up from what has become too comfortable.
Life has shown me that growth is rarely loud or glamorous. Sometimes growth looks like taking one small step when life has drained your energy. Other times it looks like trying again after disappointment, rejection, heartbreak, or failure. Challenging yourself is much like exercising a muscle. If you never stretch it, never work it, and never place resistance against it, it will eventually weaken. The same applies to our minds, faith, discipline, goals, and personal development.
One quote that has stayed with me throughout life came from my late pastor of New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Dr. Mack King Carter, who would often say, “Don’t go to bed as dumb as you were when you woke up.” While many would laugh at the directness of the statement, the wisdom behind it continues to resonate deeply with me. He was reminding us that every single day should present an opportunity to grow, learn, mature, or improve in some way. No matter your age, title, background, or circumstances, there should always be a desire to become wiser, stronger, and more intentional than you were the day before.
I think many of us, regardless of generation, have experienced moments where fear, routine, disappointment, or adversity caused us to operate in survival mode. We wake up, go through the motions, and repeat the same cycle because it feels safe and predictable. But operating within the status quo is like driving a car while never shifting gears. The engine may still run, but eventually you realize you are not truly moving forward the way you could. You are active, but not advancing.
I am also learning that adversity does not have to stop growth. In many cases, adversity becomes the very thing that develops us. A tree does not become deeply rooted during perfect weather. Its roots strengthen during storms, heavy winds, and difficult conditions. Likewise, many of us discover our resilience, creativity, patience, and faith through challenges we never asked for but somehow survived.
What encourages me is realizing that growth does not always require giant leaps. Sometimes it is one intentional step at a time. For younger generations, that may mean putting down the phone for an hour to read, develop a skill, or engage in meaningful conversation. For working adults, it may mean finally pursuing the certification, business idea, healthier lifestyle, or opportunity you have delayed out of fear or self-doubt. For older generations, it may mean embracing change, learning technology, prioritizing wellness, mentoring younger people, or simply refusing to believe that growth has an age limit.
Some practical ways to challenge yourself include setting one small goal each week instead of overwhelming yourself with huge changes, learning something new monthly, being willing to hear constructive criticism without becoming defensive, and surrounding yourself with people who inspire growth instead of stagnation. It may also mean becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Every season of elevation requires some level of stretching.
I am learning that challenging yourself is not about perfection. It is about progression. Even in adverse circumstances, there is always a way to improve from where you were before, even if it is only one simple step forward. And sometimes, that single step becomes the beginning of a completely different life.
