It Hurts

Real growth doesn't feel like an epiphany. It is painful.

You spend months or years comfortable with how you understand something, and then you run into actual knowledge.

That deep aching realization that you've been oblivious, unaware, shallow, or lazy.

Your existence resists, looks for excuses, deflections, trying to save the bubble from bursting.

Your mental muscles need to feel sore, just like a good session of exercise makes your muscles sore.

If learning doesn't leave you a little tired, a little humbled, and amazed by how much you still have to unlearn, then it isn't education.

It's just entertainment wearing a lab coat, with crossed arms, trying to look serious.