My reflections on yesterday's challenge:
Today's topic:
Who coined the term comfort zone? It's bantered here and there with wild abandoned these days. I did some brief research though and here is what I found. Supposedly it was coined in the 1920's and you're going to laugh, The American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers developed the Effective Temperature Scale: the temperature range at which the naked human body is able to maintain a heat balance without shivering or sweating. Yep there you have it. Comfort zone wasn't the product of psychologists, life coaches or other mind gurus . It was to do with temperature. It wasn't until the 70's that the term was used for personal growth.
Comfort is like being wrapped in a warm toasty blanket. Safe and sound from the monsters under the bed. I'll stay here, there's no threat. It's nice in my 'comfort zone'. The temperature is perfect. Staying in your comfort zone is keeping to familiar routines and patterns that minimise stress and risk. Staying in it is neither good nor bad. However, if one wants to achieve something, sometimes you just have to take a chance and step out of that familiar territory. However, to step out of it means confronting uncomfortable emotions and that feeling can be scary. Once you start stepping out of that warm cosy place more than once, it gets easier in the future. Could we learn to allow ourselves to love that challenge and take that step, whatever it may be or simply stretch yourself a little more.
Our challenge today:
A poem:
where I knew I couldn't fail,
The same four walls of busy work
were really more like a jail
I longed so much to do the things
I'd never done before,
But I stayed inside my comfort zone
and paced the same old floor
I said it didn't matter
that I wasn't doing much,
I said I didn't care for things
like diamonds or furs and such
I claimed to be so busy
with the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for
something special of my own
I couldn't let my life go by
just watching others win,
I held my breath and stepped outside
to let the change begin
I took a step and with new strength
I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone good bye
and closed and locked the door
If you are in a comfort zone
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners
were at one time filled with doubt
A step or two and words of praise
can make your dreams come true
Greet your future with a smile,
success is there for you!
-Anon
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