Estimated Reading Time 9 Minutes
Hey You! Welcome to a fresh episode of The Vibrant Life Podcast: your go-to source for life lessons to maximize your potential! I’m your host Emily Romrell, and I’m pumped and ready to kick off 2024 with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm.
Can you feel it in the air? That electric buzz as we step into the canvas of a fresh new year, ready to paint our lives with vibrant hues and exciting adventures!
Now, I know setting goals and resolutions is all the rage this time of year, but let’s keep it real. Sometimes life throws us curveballs, and we find ourselves feeling out of sorts. I have some things I’m working through and it can be disheartening when a new year rolls around and you stare into the abyss between where you would like to be and where you currently are.
And guess what? That’s perfectly okay! The Vibrant Life Podcast is here as a reminder that the journey to your best self isn’t always a straight line. It’s normal to feel discouraged and to stumble a bit at the beginning of a new year. That’s just how life goes sometimes. But fear not, because in these moments of challenge, we find our strength, our resilience, and the power to rise again.
This podcast is an excellent companion for navigating life’s highs and lows. We’ll delve into profound concepts addressing self-love, productivity, spirituality, personal development, and mindfulness, among other subjects. The Vibrant Life Podcast is here to support you in leading the greatest life possible by providing brief but motivational messages to cheer you on as we go through the adventure of life together.
So, whether you’re riding the wave of success or weathering a storm, remember that you’re not alone, and there’s always a reason to embrace the vibrant energy that surrounds all of us. Are you ready to embark on this journey with me? Let’s dive in!
Today we’re getting philosophical and discussing two similar concepts: Hugging The Cactus and Charging Into The Storm Like Buffalo. However, there are just a couple of quick things to go over first.
I want to give a massive shout-out to each of you listeners. Your support adds so much to our collective journey, and I’m genuinely touched to have you on board. Thank you. And if you like the podcast a quick review on Apple podcasts or your favorite platform would be amazing, and don’t forget to share the love with your family and friends.
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Alright, enough about me—let’s get down to business. Today, I have two different metaphors to offer you: the idea of Hugging The Cactus and nature’s example of Buffalo Running Into The Storm. Life, much like a desert, presents challenges that can feel as prickly as a cactus, yet by facing them head-on, we discover the strength to endure and overcome.
We’ll intertwine both of these concepts with stories from mythology, scriptures, and real-life examples. And hopefully, we’ll discover the wisdom of embracing hardships. We won’t be perfect at this. I have a long way to go. But if we consistently work on applying the truth in these teachings, life will be easier.
Imagine you’re trekking through the desert, and you spot a guy hugging a cactus. Odd, right? But that’s exactly what happens in a lesson attributed to a wise Indian teacher, Ramakrishna. A traveler sees a man embracing a prickly cactus, and when asked, the man replies, “This is all I know.” It’s a loaded image to contemplate from only a few words.
This Hugging The Cactus notion has a practical side—it’s about letting go of the painful stuff we don’t need. Picture this: you’ve got this mental backpack filled with old grudges, past hurts, and lingering resentments. They’re like the spines of a cactus—prickly and unnecessary. Applying the wisdom of hugging the cactus means taking deliberate action to unzip that backpack and carefully remove those emotional thorns.
In the realm of psychology and mindfulness, it’s like saying, “Hey, I don’t need this heavy load anymore.” Carrying around old grievances is a bit like hugging a cactus voluntarily. By choosing to let go, you create room for personal freedom and emotional well-being.
The Ramakrishna story nudges us to consider that sometimes, we hold onto pain not because it’s unavoidable but out of habit, fear, or even comfort. Hugging The Cactus in this way involves a conscious decision to drop unnecessary emotional baggage and stride forward with a lighter heart.
Alma the Younger, a key figure in The Book of Mormon, exemplifies this idea. In his youth, he rebelled against his father’s teachings and actively opposed the Church, leading others astray. However, Alma eventually experienced a profound change of heart. Confronting the pain of his past, he embraced the principle of letting go, shedding the burdens of guilt and remorse through sincere repentance.
Alma’s story underscores the transformative power of hugging the cactus by releasing the painful past and choosing a path of spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and growth.
Another example that aligns with the idea to stop Hugging The Cactus is found in the story of Pandora’s Box in Greek mythology. Pandora, the first woman on Earth, was given a box or a jar by the gods as a gift but was explicitly told not to open it. This is also reminiscent of Adam and Eve, right?
Unable to resist her curiosity, Pandora eventually opened the box, unleashing a multitude of troubles, diseases, and hardships into the world. However, amidst the chaos, one thing remained inside the box: hope. In this example, the act of opening the box represents the release of various troubles, akin to the baggage we accumulate in life.
My interpretation here is that sometimes, in order to find hope and renewal, one must let go of the troubles and pains that have accumulated over time. It echoes the principle of hugging the cactus by acknowledging and releasing the burdens that weigh us down, ultimately making room for positive transformation and the potential for a brighter future.
In everyday life, instances of letting go and stopping the act of hugging the cactus abound. Consider someone forgiving a friend’s betrayal, choosing not to harbor resentment but instead fostering healing and rebuilding the relationship. Similarly, moving on from a failed romantic endeavor demonstrates the conscious decision to release emotional baggage, creating space for fresh and healthier connections.
Whether it’s quitting a toxic job, breaking free from addiction, or accepting personal flaws, individuals can actively let go of burdens that hinder their well-being, stopping the metaphorical embrace of painful experiences. These everyday moments provide the transformative power of choosing growth over stagnation, resilience over resentment, and a brighter future over the lingering pain of the past. We can choose at any time to stop “hugging the cactus”.
One of the great things about metaphors is that you can flip them completely on their heads and still find a lot of truth. An alternate way to look at “hugging the cactus” is to actively embrace pain or discomfort instead of making it worse by avoiding it. Jon Kabat-Zinn, another mindfulness guru, often talks about this idea to show how facing challenges with an open heart and acceptance is valuable. So, when you hug the cactus in this sense, it’s a symbol to acknowledge and embrace life’s tough moments.
Avoiding pain, whether you’re aware of it or not, usually just makes a tough situation even harder. It might come in the form of denial, distraction, or numbing behaviors, giving you a short break but dragging out the healing process. The whole idea behind the metaphor is to get people to deal with their pain head-on, recognizing it without making it worse with avoidance strategies.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are taught a similar idea, the principle of enduring to the end. Instead of trying to escape challenges or difficulties, individuals are encouraged to face them with faith, trusting in God’s plan. It’s like hugging the cactus in the sense that you’re not avoiding the pain, but enduring it with the belief that there’s purpose and growth in the experience. And also that God has your back, right? I think that’s one of the most important lessons we can learn in life.
In World War II, Winston Churchill emerged as a stalwart leader whose approach embodied “hugging the cactus.” Instead of adopting a strategy of evasion or minimizing the difficulties, Churchill’s leadership was characterized by acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. He was a tough guy. His speeches, including the iconic “We shall fight on the beaches” address, were a testament to his commitment to facing adversity directly. In these pivotal moments, Churchill didn’t merely paint an optimistic facade; rather, he embraced the struggle with unyielding courage and determination.
The phrase “We shall fight on the beaches” itself reflects a mindset of confronting challenges head-on. Churchill didn’t promise an easy victory or downplay the sacrifices required; instead, he articulated the hardships and uncertainties that lay ahead. By doing so, he fostered a collective spirit of resilience and determination among the British people. Churchill’s approach was a vivid demonstration of the principle that true strength emerges not from evading the cactus of adversity but from facing it directly and navigating through it with unwavering resolve.
The ultimate and most powerful example of “Hugging the cactus” is found in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus, suffered, died, and was resurrected to atone for the sins of humanity. He willingly embraced the profound pain and suffering associated with his redemptive mission, rather than avoiding or evading it. And in doing so, he saved each one of us. The Atonement is a literal transformative power that allows us to face challenges with courage and purpose. Even the most excruciating experiences, can lead to spiritual growth, redemption, and a deeper connection with our Savior.
In the vast American plains, the buffalo or bison’s approach to storms is another analogy we can use to help us confront life’s challenges. Buffalo, when faced with an approaching storm, opt for a bold strategy – running headlong into the tempest. This behavior is more than instinct; it’s a survival tactic. In the wild, storms can be relentless and unpredictable. By charging into the storm, buffalo minimize their exposure to adverse conditions, effectively shortening the duration of discomfort. How often is our pain extended and drawn out due to avoidance?
We can adopt the buffalo’s method and confront adversity head-on. We can take control of our circumstances and navigate challenges on our terms. It is empowering to replace the prolonged agony of avoidance with a more immediate, intense experience that leads to a quicker resolution. This aligns with the concept of radical acceptance in psychology, encouraging us to face reality rather than deny or avoid it. Just like buffalo emerge from the storm stronger and more adapted to their environment, so too can we emerge from life’s trials with newfound strength, wisdom, and resilience. So let’s be brave and run boldly into the storms that shape our journey. It’s easier said than done, I know. But it’s doable.
In everyday terms, running into the storm could mean sitting with tough emotions, having difficult conversations, or pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone. When you embrace the situation, you build up resilience, find more confidence, and personal growth skyrockets.
Whether it’s about letting go of unnecessary prickles or embracing discomfort, both of these powerful ideas are wonderful tools that allow us to handle the twists and turns of life with mindfulness, purpose, and a readiness to learn from the experience of being human. I still have a lot of work to do in these areas. But I’m getting better all the time, and so can you!
And that’s a wrap for the first episode of 2024! I’m stoked for whatever lies ahead. It’s all about reaching for our best selves while appreciating each moment right where we are. Let’s make it a year of growth, happy memories, good vibes, and big dreams. I’m genuinely glad to have you on this journey with me. I hope you’ll catch me in the next episode, and until then, keep it real and keep it vibrant!
