I always try to have a book that I’m reading to help my mind think through things that are different or unique from my typical day-to-day life. This summer I’ve been reading through “The Comfort Crisis” by Michael Easter. The author of the book is a UNLV professor who also writes for Men’s Health and Outside magazines. The general theme of the book is that for centuries, humans had to work hard for basic survival. Things like food, clothing, and shelter were not easily available until about the last 100 years for most Americans. Obviously, there are exceptions to this throughout the world, and in America still today. As a result of the need to “fight” for basic survival, if there was a way to make something easier or more comfortable, we were attracted to that. This is relatively easy to see in nature. Talk a walk through the woods and you can find trails that have been formed by animals creating an easier path. These paths act as a funnel for animals because they provide an “easier” and more “comfortable” passage.

As we have evolved in the 21^st century, for most Americans, the basic needs of daily life are not difficult. The book talks about our comforts, things like climate-controlled environments, and cars with more comfort features than you can image (heated steering wheels in Michigan anyone!?!). While our fight for basic survival has changed, we are still naturally attracted to the easiest paths. The author talks about his experiences of intentionally avoiding “comforts” and taking specific time to go back to the roots of humanity of fighting for basic needs of life. Through those experiences, he’s found increased clarity of mind and thought and an increased personal direction.

The easiest path is not always the best path. And, while challenges and stress can take a toll, reading this book was a good reminder that easy isn’t always good and uncomfortable isn’t bad.

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