Well, it looks like I have a hard act to follow on the AbsoluteWrite Blogchain #9. Check out http://writing.cathsmith.com and see what I mean.
On discussing courage, she mentions the dreaded comfort zone. The thought of approaching, nevermind exceeding, your comfort zone, can set your heart rate on fire and the sweat oozing.
But, when I look back on my life, I would have gone nowhere without pushing the limits. Let's face it, I would have never been married. Whoa. There's a comfort zone slayer. I would have never had a child. Yep. Had to take a nap today with him, just to build up my energy for the rest of the day. And, foremost, (still!) in my mind is learning to surf. I would never have continued to try and fall on my face and look like a 40 year old shark snack in a wetsuit.
What gets us beyond our fears? Is it pride? Or maybe the vision in our head of how we want our lives to be? And are there people who really don't spend much time outside of their comfort zones at all and still remain happy and productive?
Well, next up on the blogchain is Life, Writing and Other Things. Check it out at http://tjwriter.blogspot.com
7 comments:
That's definitely true. If I had never gone out of my comfort zone I would have missed out on so many great life experiences. I need to keep reminding myself of that when new and scary-seeming opportunities arise.
Nice post, Andrea.
I have a sister who has NEVER strayed out of her comfort zone. She's lived in the same area for more than 50 years. She has 3 degrees from the same college. She always goes to the same beach on vacation every year. She has no daring, this sister, and it's part of why I believe she is one of the angriest, most spiteful people I've ever met. It's a shame, for she could do amazing things.
As I told someone the other day, my motto is: It's always worth a shot. And it is.
I truly believe you can't experience the highs without the lows, and those come from taking risks and failing once in a while. While someone might be happy in their comfort zone, they might never know real exhilaration or excitement.
I believe it's the enduring desire to write an interesting memoir that keeps people going outside their comfort zone. That or the bungy jumping outfit just out of town has a 2 for 1 coupon in the paper.
You really don't your reach until it seems overextended. Staying in safe zone limits the hills and valleys, ultimately you don't enjoy either experience...
I think there are folks who stay strictly inside their comfort zones,-- Ignorance is bliss and all that. Personally, I think bliss is overrated.
The comfort zone is a great place to retreat to when you need a break from harder things. But you never realize how wonderful that CZ is until you first have the courage to venture outside of it.
Nice post. Thanks for sharing. :)
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