Comfort Home

One of my favorite stories of all time is Cinderella.  The way she maneuvers her way through life from rags to riches is simply inspiring to the average girl (or young adult such as myself).  But there is a pretty significant, yet simple, lesson in this fairytale.  Cinderella was a homebody.  She was a scullery maid who lived in the attic and befriended household animals.  Her comfort was embraced in her room, away from the hustle and bustle of the day.  Going to the ball was out of her comfort zone.  She didn't have a gown, or shoes, and after living as a maid for many years, she probably didn't see herself as a princess.  But she refused to pass on the opportunity when it presented itself.  She rejected her usual comfort zone and played to her fantasies and possibilities.  It was then that she met her destiny.  The Prince was waiting beyond her comfort zone.  In application to myself, the Prince being my successful goals.  

We aren't generally challenged to move beyond our comfort zone in our own home.  It is comfort that keeps us there and breeds complacency.  I am the biggest example of this.  My home is not where I flourish, but where I feel comfortable.  Home is where familiar is.  I love the comfort and familiar of our home, and like most introverts, I reenergize when I am in solitude.  It takes energy and enthusiasm to be among others, something I tend to have a shortage of since my son was born and I operate on a bit less sleep.  Non-the-less it is essential that I get out and experience people on a daily basis.  It is essential that I get outside my quiet zone, because if I don't, I will lose familiarity with being outside my comfort zone.  Someone once said that being in your comfort zone needs to be so unusual that it feels uncomfortable.  This is so essential if we ever want to make something of ourselves.  

The best thing we can do is proactively go to embrace the uncomfortableness before it embraces us.  Go out, see the world, and meet your "prince".

-"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9