WOOD

Adding Wood to the Fire: Transforming Challenges into Strength

Life presents us with struggles, fear, anger, anxiety, discomfort. Our natural reaction is often to avoid them, to run from the fire rather than feed it. But what if the fire is precisely what we need?

In Buddhist practice, there is a concept called adding wood to the fire. It means deliberately facing challenges rather than avoiding them, using them as fuel for growth and transformation.

The Habit of Avoidance

We often tell ourselves, “I can’t handle this.” We avoid situations that make us uncomfortable. We fear public speaking, so we never step on stage. We are afraid of rejection, so we don’t express our true feelings. We dread failure, so we never take the risk.

But avoidance only strengthens fear. The more we run, the bigger the fire seems.

Turning Obstacles into Allies

Instead of running, we can lean in. By adding wood to the fire, facing fears, stepping into discomfort, we build resilience.

• Afraid of speaking? Speak more.

• Anxious about uncertainty? Sit with it rather than resist.

• Struggling with anger? Observe it, understand it, and let it transform.

The Gift of Challenge

Every fear, every discomfort, every resistance is an invitation, to grow, to expand, to wake up. When we stop avoiding and start engaging, we discover that we are stronger than we believed.

The fire does not burn us. It refines us.

So, what fear will you add to the fire today?