Dancing Outside My Comfort Zone

Ahh the comfort zone.  I love it in there.  It's cozy and famililar.  My expectations are met.  My rules are followed.  I can sit in there for days and days and days....the only problem is when I stay there for too long, nothing changes.  No miracles happen.  I have no spiritual awakenings, experience no breakthroughs, I don't get better at anything be it my job, my relationships, running or parenting.

I have learned the most difficult periods in my life have also offered the most opportunity for growth.  Period.  It doesn't make the difficulty any shorter or less painful, but I have developed a tolerance and a strong faith that I will be a much better version of myself at the inevitable light at the end of the tunnel.

I have made a habit of purposefully doing things that make me uncomfortable.  I remember as a child if I tried something and I wasn't immediately good at it, I thought that meant I never would be therefore I wouldn't continue.  I never did anything that I couldn't do well.  I never understood patience or humility...all of which came to me through the difficult periods in my my life (Thank God!!). 

A few years ago I signed up to run my first marathon...around the time I started this blog.  Thay marathon was such a great story of my life.  I was terrified.  Despite the fact I had been running my entire life.  Terrified.  But I signed up anyway.  I ran one day at a time.  My training was not perfect, not even close.  I wasn't fully prepared; I didn't take the time to learn about hydration or the fact that I should wear shoes a size and a half bigger than my feet.  I only ran two "long" runs leading up to the race.  At some point during my training, I surrendered to the idea that it wasn't going to be perfect.  I let go of any expectations I had.  I just wanted to finish...it didn't matter how quickly or how it looked....I just wanted to finish. 

I spent a few months in total anxiety over this race.  The biggest success throughout the whole process was the day I showed up.  I just showed up.  I ran despite my fear and it turned out great.  I ran the whole thing and I did really really well! I learned so much through that experience.

Another dream come true is on the horizon...I am running the New York City marathon in Novermber, another huge honor.  I'm running for Livestrong for a seond time.  It's a huge commitment.  I'm not a fan of fundraising simply because it's hard enough for me to ask for help let alone financial support.  Lots of opportunity for growth here. What a great gift.

Gratitude is the most powerful tool I have to center my mental self. 

I'm excited to share my experience throughout this process.  It's also 6 months away, which is plenty of time to train hard and do well.  After this race, I'm taking a break for bigger things :)

Be well!