"People should get out of their comfort zones on a daily basis. Take up knitting and boxing. It will make you so much more interesting."
- Raymond Lawson, Starbucks customer from Aurora, Illinois
It’s amazing what you can get for $2.67—a mocha and an epiphany (thanks to Starbucks!). The quote above appeared on my coffee cup yesterday morning and it made me think...what am I doing to get out of my comfort zone?
A Bumpy Ride Ahead ...
I should caveat this entry by saying that I'm definitely not a risk-taker by nature. For me, risk-taking probably isn't bungee jumping ... but something like trying the vegetables I've avoided my entire life or different types of ethnic cuisine (cauliflower or curry anyone?).
So what have I done in the last year (or what am I planning to do) to step out of my comfort zone?
- Raymond Lawson, Starbucks customer from Aurora, Illinois
It’s amazing what you can get for $2.67—a mocha and an epiphany (thanks to Starbucks!). The quote above appeared on my coffee cup yesterday morning and it made me think...what am I doing to get out of my comfort zone?
A Bumpy Ride Ahead ...
I should caveat this entry by saying that I'm definitely not a risk-taker by nature. For me, risk-taking probably isn't bungee jumping ... but something like trying the vegetables I've avoided my entire life or different types of ethnic cuisine (cauliflower or curry anyone?).
So what have I done in the last year (or what am I planning to do) to step out of my comfort zone?
- Fly on an airplane and go on a trip all by myself (I did this for the first time last February and survived--L.A. taxi trips and all).
- Attend a Greek festival (Did you know they really say, "Opa!"?)
- Cook asparagus. This was a major milestone for the one girl on the planet afraid of salad. :)
- Go to a rodeo. Yee haw! I ventured to the good old Puyallup Fair this fall with some friends and had a great time watching some people with some serious courage.
- Ride a horse. My Little Sister (from Big Brothers, Big Sisters) and I are going horseback riding in April--and I haven't done that since I was about 7.
- Make more new friends. By nature, I like to have a few friends that are really close. But it's also cool to have a bigger group of friends that are different from me, that help me learn from or share new experiences with. Making new friends takes time, work and effort--but it's worth it.
Stepping out of my comfort zone isn't really about trying to be more interesting--it's about challenging myself to grow and experience new things. In fact, I think it's that characteristic--that desire to grow and try new things--that makes people interesting.
So try boxing. Take up snowboarding. Or try some asparagus ... you'll be better for it.
2 comments:
Did you eat any of the asparagus you cooked?
-Health Nazi
Yes--it's actually pretty good. My sister (Martha Stewart undercover) roasted it with a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. I think not overcooking it is key...but I am warming up to green foods. :)
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