Steppin’ outta The Comfort Zone! ~ Balance Challenge #2

Moving through my days, I tend to live in a cycle, not a rut, but a daily cycle (not to be confused with my unicycle). Don’t we all? It’s the rhythm of life also known as The Comfort Zone. We do this to maintain sanity and semblance of a structured life. However, to keep true balance, I think it wise to push ourselves out of The Comfort Zone and into new territory. Not only does trying something new and different shake things up, but new friendship and skills can develop. I know, I know … it is much easier to stay in THE ZONE because it requires courage and effort to actually step out of it. My advice? JUST DO IT.

For example, ever since I was a little kid and wrote to the Mickey Mouse Club inquiring how to be the next Musketeer, I wanted to act. The confidence was never there as an adult to get past the seedling stage. When I was asked to be part of the Reader’s Theatre at church, I declined. I was raised in a traditional church and was not comfortable with a dramatic performance taking place on an altar. However, I have enjoyed watching the Reader’s Theatre and have taken away something valuable from these short skits. With Balance Challenge #2 in mind, when I was asked to be part of the Reader’s Theatre again? This time, I said yes! We had our first run-through last night.

Another step away from my comfort zone was going to the call back for the Big Lots commercial on Tuesday. It was short and sweet. No unicycle riding, only 30 seconds of talking to the camera, with casting directors sitting back on their comfy leather couches judging four of us. I was the only girl in the group. The others were “professional” circus peeps; a giraffe unicyclist, stilts, glittery costumes, seasoned jugglers (I heard the director ask him, “Can you juggle a boar’s head, knife and stuffed animal?” I kid you not!) Me? Still in my jester hat being me and praying for a spirit of confidence and peace; savoring every minute away from The Comfort Zone. I repeated a bible verse that was stuck in my head on the drive down with Overboard: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I depend on that Spirit to empower me and see me through all this new stuff. A favorite part of the call back in Hollywood was having dinner with my darling Nephew Baby Benson (stepping out of The Zone has its perks).

Why not hop on and challenge yourself to break the predictable day-to-day cycle of your life? Try taking a class, driving a different route to work, skipping instead of walking, cooking an exotic dish or doing something that you thought you would never attempt? It can be a big or small step outta The Zone.

But be warned! Leaving your Comfort Zone can lead to a balanced, more exciting life!