Pushing My Comfort Zone?
When I shared with an acquaintance that I’d created a 101 Things in 1095 Days list, she asked if I would be skydiving or anything daring like that. Nope. No desire – thank you very much.
I am so delighted to see the posts where blogger friends share the amazing stories of pushing themselves outside their comfort zones. Pat just learned to ride a motorcycle – woohoo! More power to each of you! Really. I am being sincere.For a minute, I began to wonder if I’m missing the boat somehow – why am I not pushing myself outside my comfort zone? What am I avoiding?But then, I thought – perhaps I’m happy in my comfort zone because it is quite large.
I’ve lived an interesting life with exposure to many amazing experiences: I met Mother Teresa of Calcutta, climbed Mt. Sinai to watch the sunrise, went to Egypt, spent time in the desert, experienced a 30-day silent retreat, traveled to the Holy Land and the Vatican, lived in Hong Kong for 6 years and Taiwan for 1 year, marched for Democracy with millions supporting students in TianAnMen Square, visited WuHan China, taken several road trips around the United States, biked through Yellowstone National Park – to name a few.I’ve eaten some uncommon foods for an American: pigs’ ear, beef tongue and stomach, snake, rabbit, turtle soup, fish eyes – until I became a pescatarian after leaving the convent, I’d eat anything put before me.
I’ve spoken before crowds of 100s – in English and Chinese, supped with beggars and dined with bishops. I’ve never been afraid of ‘what people might think’ and I don’t get embarrassed.
I have many skills that serve as hobbies if/when I choose: sew, embroider, cook, woodwork, hang drywall, do tile work, wax & buff floors (buffing is one of my favorite relaxation activities!), roller-skate, ice skate, swim, and bike.Don’t get me wrong – I am not opposed to new experiences of almost any kind – except those that are immoral. If opportunities for travel come along, I’ll take them. If someone felt strongly that they needed me to skydive with them – I could probably be convinced. But I neither long for these experiences nor would I absolutely refuse them. 
Perhaps I have no deep desire that I feel is lacking – because I have plenty right here!I am grateful for my family of origin (8 siblings), my husband and 3 children - (with one 86-hour labor and two caesareans) and a handful of friends, my career and my clients, my health and my happiness. As I turn 55 this Halloween, I am happy to cuddle up inside my comfort zone (at times with my son’s cat), thank you very much!I don't in any way mean to imply that those who are pushing their comfort zone are somehow not happy and grateful. In reality, the security of my comfort zone could very well be due to being too lazy to make an effort or too apathetic to care -- I won't rule that out!But thank you for indulging my fantasy as I enjoy this birthday reflection.
