The birth of anything new—a child, an animal, a venture—is sacred.
Science can explain the details, but you still feel it: this is a mystery. Some force helps life begin and pushes it forward.
Yet the process itself makes you want to look away. Groans. Strange colors. Unfamiliar forms. Blood and other fluids. Literally and symbolically, a portal opens to another world.
The sacred is splashing around in the dirt.
What a contrast with what we admire later:
rosy children in photo albums, well-groomed kittens and puppies on social media, a fresh-smelling bestseller, a market-leading company that just went public, a perfectly presented wow product on the shelf.
Everyone tries to forget the “dirty phase.” It was overwhelming, confusing, wild.
Forgetting is easy. From any angle, it was a short episode. Since then, so much effort, so many wins. Progress is obvious—and, most important, it seems free of mystery.
So you can proudly say: “I did all of this myself.”
That feeling of grandeur lasts—until the force that quietly pushed the process forward begins to fade. Then people rush, sound the alarm, look for someone to blame.
A wiser person starts to remember how it all began. But the mind won’t help here—it is afraid to get dirty.
Birth and renewal are always a paradox. You don’t understand it. You live it.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
Stuck? Your business grows when you do. I’m your business therapist to guide your shift. See testimonials here. Ready? Book your Catalyst session.