I stood on this very short stone wall to take this photo and got so dizzy I started to hyperventilate. Just a little.
It wasn’t that the wall was so high. Really, if I’d just let go and jumped into the carpet of clover below, it would have been a thrill!
But when I put the camera to my left eye and closed my right eye to snap the picture, for some reason, I felt out of control because I wasn’t on the ground.
I wasn’t where I felt comfortable.
After gasping, throwing my arms out for balance that I didn’t need and wishing I had the nerve to simply jump off the wall, I thought about the very tiny space that is my “comfort zone”.
It’s so darn small I can barely stretch my legs out!
Hummmmm.
I asked myself, ‘what does doing something outside of my comfort zone look like?’
(WARNING:You may be disappointed with my answers.)
Just outside my comfort zone is…
~Going into Starbucks all by myself and ordering coffee…my order is complicated and I stutter when I try to say all those words. Nine times out of ten I apologize to the Barista for my order. Yes, I really do. Sigh.
~Walking across a crowded restaurant (by myself) in high heels, if The Husband is walking with me I’m fine, I can hold onto his arm. But all by myself …well, I’ve slipped before. Just sayin.
~Jumping into the deep end of the pool…I can’t dive and I’m told I could barely save myself in a water emergency, so when I leap off the side and the cool water swallows me up…it’s out my comfort zone.
And if truth be told…it’s bliss! ( Unless I forget to hold my nose in which case I breathe in water the moment I go under and then break the surface like a launched rocket flailing, coughing and sputtering…“I’m okay” to whomever may be wondering. That’s happened so many times I can’t even count. It’s embarrassing.)
~Sitting in the passenger’s seat while The Husband drives like Mario Andretti down I 75 .(the stupidest and most dangerous Interstate in all of Georgia) I’ve been known to dump out the contents of my purse and put the empty purse right over my head so I don’t have to witness my almost certain demise. That’s a true story and it backfired, The Husband was so busy looking at people in other cars who were looking at me, that he nearly ran off the road and killed us both.
I told you, you’d be disappointed with my answers! But the point is there is a place just outside of our comfort zone that is very close to sheer bliss…and I don’t think I want to miss it!
Is there something blissful you can think of that’s just outside of your safe place?
Let’s do a little jumping today Peeps!
xoxo
Robin: Sure glad i didn’t have any cereal or anything else in my mouth when I read about the purse. I think I would have been like Mike. I have another driver in my car when I drive. Doesn’t matter front or back seat she is there. Sometimes I just want to tie her hands underneath her but that would stop her spastic grabbing movements (door handle, dashboard, and only once the steering wheel). Then I want to blindfold her but then she wouldn’t be able to stare at me (for my good looks of course). Or put a gag in her mouth but then I wouldn’t be able to kiss her. Uhhhh you get my drift?
To your question: I am struggling with this one. I am a natural stretcher so I try very hard not to put any kind of box around me. Out of my comfort zone would be: asking me to dance anything but slow. Ever seen a 6’5″ white boy try to dance? Ask me to sing a solo in public. Happened once ain’t gonna happen again. Ask me/dare me to eat some super hot salsa. I did the other day and I think my eyes caught on fire. Jo thinks it is funny that I sweat eating ketchup. 🙂 It would stretch me but I would love to work along side Craig Groeschel or someone like him. Well, hope that sort of answers your question.
Bill! Truly your wife and I must be kindred spirits! I love it!!!
Okay…I can relate to singing in public…ahhhh, NO! (NO to me not you 🙂 )
I think it’d be fun for you to eat some more super hot salsa! Maybe you’d even get used to it:) Hot salsa is something I can actually DO!!!
I’m going to google Craig Groeschel… (and with your love for crazy fun music, I would have bet you were a dancer!!!)
That dance part? I may like wild music (rock is my choice) but dancing is out of the question AND IT AIN’T BECAUSE i AM A BAPTIST (‘cuz I’m not!) These feet weren’t made for dancing (to borrow a phrase from a song).
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Deception =-.
What a great post! For me the number one response would be that no matter how beautiful the view, if I have to stand on a lookout of any great height, get on a ferris wheel, stand, or watch someone standing by a window in a high rise building I freak out! It is terribly embarrassing. I work in a high rise and a couple of years ago I had to attend a program and the room was arranged with the speaker’s back against the window on the 43rd floor. For some reason he went to lean on the window and I squealed and shot out of the room!
I had to laugh about the Starbucks comment. Every time I go, I stammer and say, “can I just get a plain cup of coffee.” Then the person behind the counter asks what size. When I say regular, they always want to know “tall or grande?” Why does getting a cup of coffee have to be so confusing!!!
Loved your summer manicure btw!
Have a great day!
.-= Jojo´s last blog ..German Souvenirs at Scott Antique Market =-.
JoJo…I’ve thought that maybe printing up my coffee order and just handing it to the girl/guy might be easier!
And I so relate to the High Rise thing…being in a top floor of a bldg. just takes my breath!
xoxo
is they asked for Grande I would have say yes since that is my last name (only with an “i” instead of “e”). Other than that I wouldn’t be in a Starbucks since I don’t drink coffee. 🙂
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Deception =-.
Bill…you may as well know, I’m praying about you and coffee…I can accept that you don’t like nuts …but coffee? I just can’t get peace about that my friend… 🙂
What a great laugh to start the morning with! Too funny…I gotta tell you when I saw the title of your post this morning I actually said the words “YUMMY”. Just knew it would be soooo good but also thought it funny since you do write about lot’s of yummy foods and stuff and craftsy stuff that are a little out of my comfort zone. Not much for cooking or painting but love your telling of it. But when you get to life stuff it’s just yummy! Thanks for cracking me up today. Yes, I have lot’s of comfort zones I need to get out of.
I have a phone phobia and hate to answer or call anyone…I will phone a friend and even face some not so friendly voices today…stepping out.
That’s one and there are many more …where’s that purse?!
Have a stretched day!
.-= Tom Raines´s last blog ..Today’s Affirmation: I am alive with a new heart and a new spirit. =-.
Tom…haaaahaaaa!
I so relate to the phone thing…the best thing that ever happened is TEXT!
You cracked me up tooooo!
Loved Bill’s thoughts about dancing! This one’s not too scary for me–I love to dance. And JoJo got me thinking about the view and its beauty. Being a non-risk kind of girl, maybe I should think about the awesomeness of the view more often and start free-falling.
One thing for me. I’m pretty happy inside my log house. Parties and lots of people talking, socializing and whatnot is a bit intimidating. People, I guess, can be scary.
Yes, Julie…lots of socializing and people are a bit scary…will we be hiding under a table at our reunion in August???
🙂
It must be an age thing, as I age I become more aware and even slightly more overly aware that others may be watching or thinking to themselves certain thoughts that put me on edge. Definitely a little more self aware than I ever use to be or should be now, sad that I’ve lost that part of me that would throw caution to the wind and just enjoy life as it came. Slowly trying to find that young girl that I know still resides within myself.
Thankfully the girls at Starbucks now know my order and say, hot or iced! Wheww……
Teri, I pretty much have always been this way 🙂
Maybe when I was 3 or 4 I was carefree…but I don’t think so …
But I’m guessing if you were ever that way I just bet one day you’ll find that little girl again …
Glad your Starbucks girls know your order 🙂
xoxo
I tend to be ever so cozy in my comfort zone, but am also daring myself to expand it. Sometimes, it gets stretched whether I like it or not. My Dad passed away a few weeks ago and I am faced with the daunting task of being the executor of his will and the successor trustee of his trust. This legal stuff gives me the heebie jeebies!! Definitely in over my head, but have an unexpected peace about it all. Grace when needed. That’s the blissful part!
As for Starbucks, you can get a card from them with your order written on it. A neighbor had one that was a mile long. For me, I just get stuck ordering the same thing each time- a skinny vanilla latte!
Jane…oh no…I had no idea he passed away. I would have come to the funeral. I’m so sorry. I don’t know ANYONE more capable than you are. I’d want you to be the executor of my will if I had anything 🙂 I’ll be praying though.
I’m surprised the poor workers at Starbucks haven’t given me a card to put us all out of our misery…
love you my Friend. xoxo
Yes my upcoming journey is outside my comfort zone. I am ready to jump to see what awaits.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..2 Part Post, 2 Subjects- Youth Group Stuff =-.
I really don’t drive fast. It doesn’t matter who is driving or how they drive with Robin- she has a problem with it! I think it is a control issue! And you should ride in the car with HER driving! Whoa!
Husband…I clearly need a driver…everyone knows I’m a danger to myself and the population at large when I drive.
Maybe when you drive though, I’ll start riding in the back seat…on the floor board. 😉
I, too am married to a Mario Andretti….’nuf said! I used to think I was in my comfort zone by not flying…but I wanted so much to GO somewhere. SO, this past Jan. I went with 3 friends to Fl. and Iflew!!! Now it did involve some anti-anxiety medication but still….I DID IT!!! Now, I guess I am in trouble with you too, cause I don’t drink coffee either. Never have. Just don’t like the taste of it. Going UNDER things scares me, not heights. Went to some caverns in Virginia and was very nervous, also went on a hike once that required you to go UNDER a very large rock…………took me about 10 mins. to work up the courage to go under. That’s all for now. I am sure there is alot more I could write about:):) Have a great day with your pretty pedi!!! XO, Pinky
Pinky…you don’t drink coffee either???? OHHHHHH!
I’m totally freaked out by tight spaces too Pinky, I went spelunking years ago and the guide had to grab my arms and pull me out of a very tight spot! NEVER AGAIN!(it was before The Husband and I got married and I went JUST to be with him!!!)
xoxo
I know it is weird, but my sister doesn’t drink it and my daughter doesn’t either. My son drinks it by the gallons…..weird, huh?
something that puts me outside my comfort zone, but brings bliss, is obeying God. i have been overseas and i have stepped out to be part of a church plant and i have moved 900 miles away from family following God. and it has all been GOOD!
now, let’s talk about your starbucks order. as a friendly barista, i can coach you on how to order your drink with confidence. just let me know what it is and i’ll put the words in the order you need to say them! it’s really not a big deal if you don’t know how to “call” your drink; it’s the job of the barista to take the information presented by the customer and pass it along to the partner working on the bar so that your drink is made to your specs. we even translate small, medium, and large without batting an eye! 🙂
.-= jenn´s last blog ..Happy Bee =-.
Jenn! You brave woman 🙂
And what a great idea…I always order:
a coffee misto, skim milk, sugar free vanilla syrup and extra hot!!!
now, how could I make this easier 🙂
I am jusssst a bit freaked reading this post because your outside the zones and my outside the zones are so similar. (Well, I don’t have the high heel restaurant issue, but the rest…) I can so relate to these.
I like the way that you write. I have visited here before and found myself nodding as I read. Actually, I have been thinking about forcing myself to step out of my comfort zone a lot lately. Thinking… not stepping…
Debbie, hi! Nice to meet a kindred spirit!!!
Let’s just think about stepping out of the comfort zone…and if you step…will ya let me know 🙂
xoxo
You daredevil! I had to giggle, just a bit of course… I’d about kill for video of you with your purse on your head!!
I would say most things that cause me to go into new situations tend to make me take a big deep breath these days. Ordering Sushi the other night with the boys… try Japanese food items if you want a real tongue twister of an ordering experience!
Here is my biggest challenge… the things I would do are somewhat big… I would go to Europe and travel with a group, I would go back to school and get my PHD, I would learn photoshop inside and out, and indesign and go on the road selling for Rick… Every so often I leap… I just haven’t gotten the guts quite yet this time… but I at least I am still reaching 🙂
GREAT POST! Sending big love…
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..The missing thing =-.
Vicky…you are so darn awesome! I love your “outside of the comfort zone” … If I’m ever at a party and someone asks me what I want to do, can I use you list…?
(I want to learn photoshop too! My friend Kim Klassen is teaching a beginners online class but I don’t have the big girl version yet…only elements 🙂 You should check it out she’s going to build on that 1st class and keep going I think!)
xoxo
OMGeez! That list should’ve come with a warning “Readers, Do NOT have anything in mouth while reading. You will laugh so hard, choking is eminent”
The purse story is hilarious!
Let me see…right outside my comfort zone…
Asking for other kids on the playground to give my child’s toys back (Why I’m afraid of other kids, I have no idea. The best part is this is new since getting pregnant with my second).
I used to work in a retail store and because I know how security used to watch everyone, I am now terribly uncomfortable when I go shopping.
Disappointed? I don’t do anything as funny as putting bags over my head. I just have silent panic attacks and start sweating.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Happy 101 =-.
I’m not disappointed by your non-comfort zones… I love that they are all things that you can do, little by little, until suddenly they are things you do without thinking.
I remember growing up and going to the “big city” of Ft. Dodge to see the orthodontist [all of us needed braces]. To us, it was a big city because it had a McDonald’s [our town had yet to expand to that degree]. 🙂 My mom would be SO NERVOUS driving around that town with us kids in the car. She’d be stressed out and get lost and emit a heavy sigh when we entered the driveway to our farm.
Now, she owns her own design business and drives to Minneapolis to the furniture market and maneuvers whatever she needs to like a pro. I’m sure she never imagined she would do something like that someday, but she mastered Ft. Dodge and eventually managed whatever else came her way.
So will you, friend. So will you.
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Gitz Bits 2010: Week 15 =-.
Your answers aren’t disappointing to me at all. In fact, I completely get it. My comfort zone is the safety of my home. When I have to leave it, I struggle with fear and anxiety, but when I do things despite the fear, I live sweet moments that I never would have if not for taking a leap of faith. Comfort zones are nice and safe but you miss out on a lot a great moments if you stay where it’s safe all the time.
.-= Latisha´s last blog ..Boo Hoo 10 Things I Hate about you is Through! =-.