Comfort zones are most often expanded through discomfort. Peter McWilliams
If you remain in your comfort zone, you will not go any further. Catherine Pulsifer
A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimension. Oliver Wendell Holmes
All of us have a comfort zone where everything feels safe and familiar.
Most people have a favorite pair of slippers, favorite chair, or favorite meal. We are creatures of habit and when we feel comfortable with something, we want to stick with it as long as possible. It makes it hard to part with an old sweater or blanket.
In a paradigm shift, whatever you were thinking and believing is changed so dramatically that you can't ever go back to how you had been thinking. It represents the concept of a major change in a certain thought pattern -- a drastic change in personal beliefs, replacing the former way of thinking with a radically different way of thinking.
But in life, things change. And comfort can, at times, be overrated. All of our ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs are subject to change, but commonly only when we receive evidence that proves that there are other ways of seeing things.
Look at the box with a larger box around it. We live in the smaller box which represents our world: everything we believe, think, value, know. Our goal is to discover the unknown - that is, what's inside the larger box... all the things we don't already know, value, think, etc.
Our tendency is to stay in our 'box.' However, if we stay there, we will not be challenged, experience personal growth, or learn new things. In other words, we would stagnate.
Going out of our familiar comfort zone may take courage or a leap of faith. My website has been up since 1998. I specifically chose the colors and style believing I would keep it the same forever. But, truth be told, it was time for an update. While I was exceptionally resistant to making dramatic changes, I finally let go of the 'mind chatter' and comfort zone that wanted me to keep things as they are. In a short time, the new site will be up, and it's clearly a striking departure from the current one.
When working with a client who was widowed, she felt resigned to never eating in a restaurant, attending a movie or event without a companion. She came to realize there was no shame and that she was the only one to lose out. Due to her altered thinking, now she has no problem doing things alone ever since she chose to stop depriving herself of things she enjoyed whether or not someone joins her.
On a recent trip to Europe, my initial plan was to meet my daughter and go exploring. However, before meeting her, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and travel to Switzerland for a few days - alone. It was quite an adventure, and in the end, it provided an opportunity to realize that what we think is so 'out there' and not in our paradigm isn't necessarily all that far fetched. After doing this, I can imagine traveling alone to other countries - and enjoying the experience.
On a global scale, imagine if people would shift their paradigm of 'good v. evil' to one of unity and oneness. A very different world would emerge. In truth, the common thread in every person (no matter how 'good or bad') is that we are seeking the same thing: to be loved and cared about.
We go around believing that what we think is the only truth, and then oftentimes are surprised that there are possibilities we hadn't even imagined.
Sometimes just getting new information can totally shift our thinking. Check out this short video that makes the point beautifully. Click here for Video
INVITATION TO EXPERIMENT
Where have you placed a limit in your thinking and believed that you couldn't possibly ______ (fill in the blank)?
When has there been a time when you truly believed something to be true only to find out it was very different from what you thought?
Next time you are faced with a challenge that feels impossible, think back to a time when you changed your perspective entirely.
If you feel inclined, please let me know if you decide to go ahead and try this experiment. I look forward to hearing about your experiences. Your feedback and comments have been most welcomed:-) Keep them coming!!
Very best regards,
marion@lifecoachinggroup.com
(c) 2004-11. All rights reserved. Marion Franklin, www.lifecoachinggroup.com
Comments? Feedback? lllfeedback@lifecoachinggroup.com
P.S. If you enjoyed this issue, I'd love it if you'd spread the word. Do so by forwarding this to a friend and inviting them to subscribe at the Life's Little Lessons link. Thank you for continuing to read Life's Little Lessons TO READ PAST ISSUES Past Issues (Highly recommended)
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N E W! 3rd Mentor Practicum Group added (see below)
WATCH: YouTube Interview with Life Coach Marion Her expertise is getting to the root of the problem efficiently (laser), skillful direct communication, and creating permanent change in perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyQ_kM5OJpA
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