Run From What's Comfortable: A Personal Reflection

One of my favorite lines attributed to Rumi is this: "Run from what’s comfortable." Whether or not he truly wrote those exact words, the spirit behind them is something I live by:

“Run from what's comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. I have tried prudent planning long enough. From now on I'll be mad..”

Have you ever sat with that line? Run from what's comfortable. It sounds a bit crazy at first, doesn’t it? But there's a deep truth in it.

I love this quote because it pushes against our natural instincts. It reminds us that growth doesn't live in comfort zones. It nudges us to be bold, to break routines, to chase meaning instead of ease. It speaks to the part of you that wants to build something real—not just consume someone else's highlight reel.

Rumi is buried in Konya, in present-day Türkiye. If you ever get the chance, visit him. The blog photo here is from that very place. Standing there, you feel the weight of a life fully lived, of someone who challenged norms and chased truth.

I think a lot of us fall into the trap of watching YouTube creators or influencers who talk about "doing hard things" while we stay seated, passive. But more then often their content fills their wallets—not your soul.

This quote isn't for them. It's for you. It's for all of us consumers.

Step out. Do the thing. Make the leap. Because real growth? Real insight? It doesn’t come from binge-watching someone else live it. It comes from doing it yourself.

So here’s your reminder, and mine too:

Don’t just admire bold living. Go live it. Everyday.

Stay sharp,

Salim