Strengthen Your Comfort Zone

The image on the left provides an interesting perspective. I suppose we would all interpret it differently. When I look at the message I feel like I am being told that if I stay in the smallness of my comfort zone that I will be missing out on something big. The only way that I will experience the "magic" is to step into the discomfort and push through something. What I really want exists outside of me and can only be accessed by stepping onto new ground. On another level it can be inspiring to broaden our perspective and move outside our habitual ways of being. There is an implied sense that there is something waiting for me, that will make my life more exciting and more complete. I actually believe that the magic happens "inside" your comfort zone.

Today you are YOU! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than YOU ~ Dr. Seuss

I am writing this with the highly sensitive in mind. For those of us who are sensitive, our "comfort zone" is also our "safety zone", so the thought of moving outside of this zone stirs our fear stories. I believe that we tend to look outside ourselves for solutions that will make us feel better. There is the idea that by stepping outside your comfort zone you will build strength, which will allow you to repeat the choice again in the future. I believe that the most magical thing you can experience is a deeper relationship with yourself. Can you be with yourself when there is nothing to distract you? Can you walk alone in the forest? Can you be in your car without the distraction of the radio or music? Can you sit quietly and reflect without turning to Facebook? Do you know yourself, your needs and your desires intimately?

The metaphor of building a house comes to mind. When spending time inside our comfort zone and getting to know "you", you are strengthening and building your foundation. When you are in alignment with your values and purpose, your foundation becomes very strong and you become ready to build the walls. When you begin to know yourself deeply you don't just build walls, you build walls with doors and windows. You can confidently choose when to leave a window open or a door unlocked. What used to be a fortress becomes a beautiful space that welcomes meaningful connection. We build a roof that protects us from the elements and helps keep us warm.

This perspective allows your comfort zone to grow with you. What you are truly seeking is within you. A strengthened relationship with yourself can lead to different choices and outcomes that are in alignment with your inner desires. You may take an action that in the past would have been a step outside your comfort zone and now that your comfort zone has expanded that experience can now be included inside it.

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ~ Thích Nhất Hạnh