IMD's and Comfort Zones

The first weekend in June, I actually got to do something that was on my IMD (In My Dreams) list AND was out of my Comfort Zone.

If you've read my previous blog posts, you'll remember I spoke about waiting in a store to get a signed book for a friend and speaking with the person next to me. We both talked about how we'd like to "someday" write a book. We talked about actually planning it one day and the other person said, "IMD - In my dreams!"

My most recent blog entry was on Comfort Zones becoming danger zones and how we need to step out of them.

The first weekend in June, I flew to a town I've never been to, where I didn't know a soul and, once there, had no way to get around. "Why would you do that?" you may ask. Well...I had the most amazing opportunity to attend a writer's workshop given by someone whom I respect greatly and whose writing and speaking has made a difference in my life. This workshop was just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Although, I'd never been there, and wouldn't know anyone, when the idea presented itself, I just couldn't stop thinking about it.

Have you ever had an opportunity to do something that sounded exciting to you, but you'd have to stretch yourself to take advantage of it? That's what this was like. When I first heard about it, I said to myself "Are you crazy? You don't know anyone there. What would you do once you got there?" (I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has reacted that way when thinking about trying something new, right?) The more I thought about it, the more excited I got about it. I made the reservations for the workshop, flight and hotel. The excitement of looking forward to the workshop far outweighed the discomfort of the unknown!

The day of my adventure, I could barely contain myself! Everything from getting on the plane, to arriving in Nashville to see someone holding a sign with my name on it, to being driven directly to my hotel where I had a room on the top floor, was amazing! I had the whole evening to myself. The hotel had dinner available and, afterward, I could go back to my room and watch any TV channel I wanted to, or I could just read...or do nothing. Sometimes just having the time to simply do nothing, is a gift. (I know the moms out there can relate).

I was able to connect with one of the other workshop attendees before the workshop. Since she was driving to the workshop, she graciously offered to take anyone to the workshop who did not already have a ride. She and a friend were arriving late the same night and staying in the same hotel. The next day, they invited me to come along on their planned sight-seeing adventure. I had the BEST time!!!!! We walked around historic Franklin, tried Shrimp and Grits at 55 South and had a cupcake tasting at Ivey Cake.

That night, and the next day, was spent at the writer's workshop. I consider it one of the most valuable investments in my own life. To give wings to a dream that had been "sitting on the nest" for most of my life, awakened a part of me that I thought was long gone. This workshop helped me to find that part of my soul that yearned to create, to express, to feel. I may not have a "flight plan out of the nest" for my writing yet, but I'm certainly training to get my pilot's license!

The last day of my adventure, was just that....an adventure. It turns out that my prearranged ride to the airport didn't show up. Talk about being WAY out of my comfort zone! I'm a planner, by nature, and am much more comfortable if I have things planned ahead of time. I can be spontaneous, but not when it comes to catching an airplane. Yikes! Well, God had it all under control. (Isn't that just like him?). I had been chatting with one of the other workshop attendees while I was waiting for my ride.  She was just checking out and headed home, driving to another state. When she learned of my predicament, she offered to drive me to the airport. Now she wasn't from around the area, but she was willing to drive me there so I could make my flight. We had the chance to get to know each other better during the drive to the airport and found out we have a lot in common. We traded contact information when she dropped me off at the airport, just in time for my flight.  Hooray!

Just think of all the amazing things I would have missed out on if I had not taken that step out of my comfort zone. I had so much fun, received so much inspiration from the workshop, and made new friends all in a weekend's time! The workshop enabled me to get back in touch with my creative soul and gave me the "push out of the nest" that I needed to work toward my dream of writing a book. I met new friends who are taking similar journeys in writing. Most of all, though, I learned that sometimes, taking that step out of a comfort zone can lead to an amazing adventure that might be just what you need.

One of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, wrote a poem that still speaks to me today. "The Road Not Taken" speaks about two pathways through a forest, one well-travelled, one not. The last lines in the stanza read, "Two roads diverged into a wood, and I-   I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference."

Think about your dreams and your comfort zones today. What would you like to do? Are you being held back by your comfort zone? Think about what you could be missing. Think about what it would be like if you tried it. Go for it!

(A side note: If you'd like to find out more information about the "Shaking Your Tree" workshop, I've included a link to the website. I'm SO glad I went!)

Comfort Zone or Danger Zone

Life is full of "zones." Some of them are good zones like quiet zones in libraries or fun zones in restaurants that have a game area for kids. Some zones are safety-related like the Work Zones on a highway or Construction Zones on a work site. There are also Danger Zones with signs to warn you to keep away like "Bridge Out" or "Rip Tides-No Swimming."

What about "Comfort Zones?" A Comfort Zone is where we feel the most comfortable. It's where we feel safe, where things are familiar. Everyone needs a Comfort Zone from time to time. We can relax and be ourselves. There are no unanticipated changes in our Comfort Zones, no surprises.

The problem with Comfort Zones is that they can become Danger Zones. When we stay in our Comfort Zones so long that we don't want to venture out of them, they can be a danger to all that we are and could become. You see if we always stay safe in our Comfort Zones, we'll never have the opportunity to see what else might be out there for us. We may miss out on some wonderful experiences.

Sometimes we stay in our Comfort Zones because of difficult situations in our lives or because we don't like change. I'll admit I have my own Comfort Zone. I don't mind change, I just don't like it to happen all at once.

There is a story in the Bible about Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, that makes me think about Comfort Zones. The story (Matthew 14:22-33) talks about how Jesus had sent the disciples on ahead of him in a boat. The story goes on to tell about while the boat was out on the water, Jesus walked on the water to the disciples. When they saw him, they were afraid because they thought he was a ghost. Jesus called out to them and told them not to be afraid, that it was him. Peter said, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."

Isn't that a little like what we do when we're faced with something that's out of our Comfort Zone? Don't we toss out challenges like If it's really you, God, then give me a sign. The problem is if we don't get a satisfactory answer, we don't move from our comfort zone.

So what did Peter do? When Jesus said "Come," he got out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. While he was walking on the water, though, he began to look at the wind on the waves, became afraid and began to sink. Peter called out to Jesus and Jesus reached out his hand and saved him.

How often do we focus on the reasons why we can't do something instead of trying something new? Peter was actually WALKING on the water!! How amazing is that!! I think he started thinking about how it couldn't be possible and that's why he began to sink. But he did get out of the boat. How many times do we "stay in the boat?"

Is there something you've always wanted to try, but you're afraid to take that first step? Is there a trip you wanted to take to visit someplace you've never been, but you're afraid because you've never done anything like that before? What might you be missing out on by staying in your Comfort Zone?

Don't let your Comfort Zone become a Danger Zone.  A Comfort Zone is a place to visit when you need to, but always remember this: Your Comfort Zone is a NO PARKING Zone!  Get up, get out, get moving and step out of the boat!

William GT Shedd, a theologian, teacher and pastor, said this, "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."


Step out of the boat, and start a new adventure!