It is said that the life you want is at the end of your comfort zone.
Maybe.
In fact, I think a perfectly happy life is in the comfort zone. That’s the college and the job and the spouse and the 2.5 kids. You retire by 60, you snuggle grandkids, and you die around 75. So it goes. The average. Yet where does one truly grow from that?
Sure you support the standard existence demanded of your kin and ancestors. Nothing wrong with that. Sure you don’t have struggles and strife. Nothing wrong with that.
Yet something is missing.
For many of us we want some sense of fulfillment, maybe it’s to be a great painter or dancers. maybe it’s playing the tuba. Maybe it’s simply being an awesome Girl Scout leader. Whatever it is, so many of us don’t take that first step.
Comfort zones hold us in place. Comfort zones ya we’re safe and happy when we’re missing something to nurture our souls. They are liars, they are the lizard brain self preserving. They are not a voice of true joy.
Beyond comfort zones means fulfillment in other ways. It means risk. It means failure. It means being frightened.
Yet when you push past the fear and confines of what you think your existence should be, there lays so many new opportunities.
The thing is, you will always be scared. You were probably scared when you applied to your job, scared on your first day. You maybe still fear being fired or dialing at a project. All of these are possible. And maybe you are frightened if something else happening, but the truth is that all of it could be okay. All of it could be truly wonderful.
This brings me to exploring the world. I am frightened when I get on a plane, worried about “what if”. But guess what, every plane trip has brought me new and thrilling adventures. I’m frightened to go to a new country. But guess what, each one has offered me something magical.
I’ve been frightened to try new foods, to do new jobs, to go to school, to try different careers. At times I’ve been in tears because I’m so frightened. But once I work it out, I face the fears, I’m ok. Each of these frights has pushed me forward on what has been a pretty awesome journey. I’m scared a lot, I don’t let it stop me.
In fact, my comfort zone is small. It’s my bedroom. My desk at work. My car. That’s about it my “safe” places. Those are sacred places I need, but I also know the in between brings me growth, helps me grow.
So, dear friends, push onwards. For bravery doesn’t mean that you aren’t afraid, it means you do it anyway.
Happy Travels!
“From a proud Gryffindor”
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