Life lessons are often concealed in plain sight, waiting to be discovered by those with a keen eye and an open mind. They are not found in grandiose proclamations or extravagant gestures but rather in the subtleties of everyday life.

The more present we are to our moment-to-moment experiences and feelings, the more capable we are of seeing those lessons. I’ll give you a perfect example of what I mean by this.

Lately, I’ve been enjoying the infrared sauna. Of course there are a whole host of benefits, which you can read about in my blog post, ‘The Deep Healing Power Of Infrared Heat,’ but that isn’t the big life lesson I’m referring to.

I came to an important realization recently in the quiet space of 30 minutes as I sat in 130+ degree infrared heat with nothing to distract my attention: “When things get uncomfortable, my first instinct is to look for a quick way out.”

I considered lowering the temperature to a more bearable level or stepping out for a few minutes to cool down a bit. But as I watched the temperature creep up to 135 degrees, I decided to sit in observation of my discomfort instead.

You see, as I started to have this internal debate justifying why I should make myself more comfortable, another voice presented itself with an opposing view. I started to acknowledge that the health benefits of sitting through it far outweighed the benefits of playing it safe and seeking a more comfortable path.

I also reminded myself that I was mentally and physically stronger than this. In fact, I knew that if I noticed the physical sensations and thoughts that came up and simply allowed them to come and go without rushing to judgement (as I do when I meditate), then I could challenge myself to be with my own discomfort instead of running from it.

With my rational mind, I could see that I was safe and that I wasn’t in any danger. I just needed to allow my body to catch up with that same understanding. So I set a goal for myself to stay put through 138 degrees, and then I’d check in to see how I was feeling.

Over those next 10 minutes or so, I tuned into my senses, noticing what I could see, taste, feel, hear and smell. In doing so, I realized that the droplets of sweat running down my body were kind of cooling and even a bit enjoyable.

Once the temperature reached 138 degrees, though, I was doused in sweat and incredibly parched! Without judgement, I tended to my needs and grabbed a quick sip of cold water from outside of the chamber, and then promptly got right back in.

In that moment when I re-entered the sauna, I felt a sense of pride. I had done it! I challenged my patience and comfort and I survived. I felt immediately grateful for my inner strength and self-connection.

Conclusion:

The next time you find yourself up against something that challenges your comfort zone, remember that life's most profound lessons often dwell in the unassuming and ordinary moments.

By cultivating awareness, testing your limits, seeking diverse perspectives, practicing mindfulness and gratitude, and giving yourself grace, you can uncover a wealth of hidden truths that can enrich your life and deepen your understanding of both yourself and the world around you.