Pretty powerful words, aren’t they? We all have our comfort zones and we like them! Some of them are important for survival, some are feel good and others are not healthy. I say that because when a comfort zone causes complacency, it’s no longer a comfort zone.
I think you have probably all ready come to your own conclusion about me, and I know I categorize myself into that Type A personality. that being said, I like to think outside the box and I am like that old commercial about not driving between the yellow lines. I don’t know if I was born that way or if it was something I learned. See, I grew up in a rather strict, old fashioned Sicilian family. Like, being chaperoned on dates at 16, Sicilian family. You could question and challenge, but it wouldn’t change anything. I was also educated in this small, private school that had an enrollment of 32 at the most, for my first 8 years of education with this amazing headmaster who made you think. Where am I going with this?
I just found out this morning I moved myself outside my comfort zone and didn’t like it. It began last week when I asked my husband, who is a personal trainer, if he would assist me in getting rid of saggy back arms. In the process of our first session, he put me in some physically uncomfortable positions, pushing my limits. I didn’t like it. I did put my focus on the end result, no more saggy arms (I’m turning 45, I don’t want old lady arms!). Then to take things further, I found a few new workout DVD’s (I wish I could workout outside my home but 5:15 am and leaving the house don;t fit well together). Saturday, tried one, it as ok, different and long. Sunday, completely different and could do at least 1/3 of what was gong on. Monday, Ha! Too easy, Until I woke up today and found my muscles quite sore, so much for subtleness. So I went back to Saturday’s choice. And decided to do what i could do and pick and choose how to fit into my time frame (which it said t do anyhow).
That’s when it hit me I am out of my comfort zone. And it is good too, because of your muscles aren’t getting sore on occasion, you are not doing enough different to use those other muscles that compliment each other. Had my workout become complacent? Or just comfortable? You can use those questions with any part of your life – work, relationships, health, eating. Either way, all those areas in our lives need to worked on constantly in order to grow and improve.
Comfort zones, while safe and sometimes needed, can become traps for us. And then we wonder why we get jealous, angry, resentful, sick, when things aren’t what they ‘should’ be Our health is our choice. I’ve given you 5 ‘Evil Baddies’ that contribute to our health issues these days. They are starting point for empowering yourself to your next step in your journey. Exercise and spiritual growth are the other parts of health. What will you do with it?
