Avoiding Quote by Rachel Naomi Remen
“Most people have come to prefer certain of lifes experiences and deny and reject others, unaware of the value of the hidden things that may come wrapped in plain and even ugly paper. In avoiding all pain and seeking comfort at all costs, we may be left without intimacy or compassion; in rejecting change and risk we often cheat ourselves of the quest; in denying our suffering we may never know our strength or our greatness”
About This Quote
Source Book: Kitchen Table Wisdom, 1999
Avoiding pain and seeking only comfort limits growth, intimacy, and self‑discovery; embracing hardship reveals hidden strengths.
In simple terms: Avoiding pain blocks growth.
Key Takeaway
Accept discomfort to discover strength.
Themes
growth
comfort zone
self‑discovery
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Therapy sessions
- personal challenges
- creative pursuits
Key Concepts
Resilience
emotional intelligence
risk taking
Questions to Reflect On
- What comforts are you avoiding?
- How can you balance risk with safety?
A Different Perspective
Some discomfort may be harmful and not always beneficial.
![“I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures [about Prophet Muhammad] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed in a scene in the wrong movie. But I don't see the fight as a clash of civilizations. Rather, we must focus on avoiding exactly this type of conflict. We have to…” quote by Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d8/anders-fogh-rasmussen-21056_acknowledgement_i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caric_14933.jpg)
