Take a Trip

                                                       Outside the Comfort Zone

"Great things never come from comfort zones."

Neil Strauss

To say these last few months have been a challenge for me would be a gross under-statement. Also, these last few months have been truly good--lots of work, two successful art shows, several commissions. But, I've been so far outside my comfort zone I may as well have been lost in space. Interfacing with the public is akin to climbing Mt. Everest for an avowed introvert such as myself. It's hard; it's stressful. First hand, I've learned the truth of "stress is stress" and good stress can be as damaging to the body/mind as bad stress. I have a peptic ulcer. It hurts.

I've learned a few important lessons from this--one is to schedule things differently. To space out the events requiring immersion in the social sphere so that I don't feel overwhelmed. It's good to know your sensitivities--to acknowledge and respect how your body responds to prolonged stress. Sometimes we can't avoid stressful situations, sometimes we don't want to avoid them. And sometimes, they are forced upon us, or happen as a result of circumstances outside our control. But sometimes we can, and should, avoid circumstances that we know will stress us out. We can honor our body and respect its needs. That's what I have trouble doing. I think others do, too. We tend to believe our bodies are merely a conveyance for our minds--they get us around and allow us to do what we want or need to do--our flesh and blood vehicles, so to speak. But our bodies are living organisms and have the same needs as all living things for sustenance and rest.

Sometimes, we have to get outside our comfort zone, and into our pain zone to achieve clarity. Our bodies will take us there if we fail to do it consciously. Like I say, this has been a learning experience--a very painful one. My comfort zone is looking pretty good to me right now, but I am ever grateful for the adventures I had outside its gates. According to Neil David Walsch, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." I may venture out again in a year or so. I wonder about you--how often do you stick a toe outside your comfort zone? What happens when you do?

                                       In the Spirit,
                                           Jane