growth – Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

Back in the days when I was working, I would receive a weekly inspirational email. I do not remember the name of the woman who authored these emails. I do however remember one email in particular. It inspired me at the time and it has stuck with me to this day.

This one email focussed on our comfort zone. Basically, the place, places, or situations where we feel comfortable. For any number of people, which I am one of, anything outside of our comfort zone(s) is uncomfortable to the point of being distressing. So, what to do?

We have two options. First off, we can do everything in our power to stay in our comfort zone(s). The problem with this, is that the harder we try to stay within our comfort zone, the smaller it gets. We back ourselves into our yard or our house or our bed, while our life passes us by. 😢

Our second option is to realize that any discomfort or distress we feel in leaving our comfort zone is simply growing pains. If we push through the pain, out comfort zone expands to include more and more of the life we are meant to live.

Over the years, I have been reminded of this email countless times when I have experienced these ‘growing pains’.

One situation it has specifically helped me deal with is my fear of driving. (Terror would be a better word). I have been terrified to the point of suffering full blown anxiety attacks when driving. (Which, trust me, is not good at any time but particularly dangerous when one is driving.) By recognizing the first signs of distress, and accepting them as growing pains, I have been able to get past the discomfort and embrace the challenge of expanding my comfort zone – even when I am driving.

I know that I cannot do this advice the justice of the original author, but if there are places or situations that you find challenging, try it. If it doesn’t work for you, at least you tried. If it does work – you will be amazed!

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞

Learning is one of my greatest joys in life! Definitely the thing I loved most about working, especially in my last position in construction sales and project management/administration, was the opportunity and excitement of ongoing learning. I learned something new every day. Having the opportunity to share such knowledge with others, who were just as eager to learn, was part of the fun.

Anyway, today I have ‘words of wisdom’ about learning, from some terrific masters of the mind.

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
– Zig Ziglar (Motivational speaker of the twentieth century)

(Probably the one thing I found most frustrating about parenting was trying to explain something of importance to one of my offspring only to have them blow it off with an “I KNOW”. I don’t know how many times I heard that but I do know – they did not know.)

“What we learn with pleasure, we never forget.”
– Alfred Mercier (University Lecturer)

(My sons have never forgotten my driving lessons – obviously they were pleasurable!)

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow”
– Anthony J D’Angelo (American Author)

( And you will never grow bored!)

What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing.
– Aristotle (Greek Philosopher)

(Absolutely! Try, try, and try again!)

It is what we know already, that often prevents us from learning
– Claude Bernard (French Physilogist)

(I know. But is so hard to unlearn something one knows! 🙄)

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the thinks you think up if only you try.
– Dr. Seuss (Author of Children’s Books)

All of our grandchildren are brilliant, but when it comes to original thinkers Madison has always been the master of thinking left, right, low, and high to find her own unique answers.

That is it for today. Take care. I hope you have a great day – and a great time learning something new and fascinating!

Tag: growth

Comfort Zone

November 10th – Wise words About Learning