Be The Exception

You know what is easy?

Doing nothing.  Being complacent.

I used to love taking the road most traveled, the easy way out, the path of least resistance... whatever you want to call it.  Who doesn't!?  Do you know how many times I will RESTART our dryer because I simply want an excuse not to fold that load of laundry yet?..... well I won't tell you, but it is A LOT.

How many times have you seen something you didn't think was right, but you kept your mouth shut about it because you didn't want a confrontation.  I used to do it ALL THE TIME.  I still do it some of the time, take the comfortable option. But there is definitely something to be said about getting outside your comfort zone.

Your comfort zone.  You know where it is, you know it's boundaries, you know what it feels like to step out... and you don't like it.  That is why it is called your comfort zone. It's warm, and fuzzy, and is perfect for you.

But think of all of the possibilities if you just stepped out for a second!  Imagine, if you were presented an opportunity, but that it required you to step out of your box... for a while.  Do you think you would get used to being out there, away from your warm fuzzies?  Would you want to come sneaking back in? Of course you would, but you NEVER will know what will happen if YOU become the EXCEPTION.  If YOU step out of your box.

Let me tell you about my comfort zone.

It was MINE.  No one was ever going to take it away from me, no matter how hard they tried.  I was so stubborn about staying in there.  It was comfortable, not scary in any way, and it. was. BORING.  I had become complacent about the state of my health, about my social skills, and about my "job" of the mundane every day... (house work, kids, making doctor appointments, running to the bank, the grocery store... blah blah blah). I was "happy" about the muffin top that I had developed and just ACCEPTED the fact that I would probably tuck that baby in every time I sat down for the rest of my life.  Well you know what?!  I broke out of my comfort zone.  About 90% of my mind and body did not want any parts of this idea, but that 10% was a rebel.  She wanted out.  She was DONE with the mundane.

I used to imagine what it would feel like to be in the best shape of my life.  I-M-A-G-I-N-E.  Like a dream, an alternate reality.  I truly believed in my heart it would never happen.  I mean... I thought I was eating right, and I thought I was getting the right amount of exercise. But in the end, my family became a priority over that.

Have you ever done that?  Dreamed and imagined what it would be like to be in the best shape of your life?! What does that look like to you? Do you have a six pack? Toned legs? Maybe you are wearing a two piece bathing suit? Or maybe, MAYBE it is that you are FINALLY comfortable in your own skin.  What!?  There is not definite answer here because everyone is different.  Your idea of the best shape of your life is different than mine.

Mine?  Not tucking that roll into my pants.

So I am in the car the other day... now mind you, I KNOW that I am in the best shape of my life right now... and I am so thankful every day that I stepped out of my comfort zone to do that... but here I am in the car and I look down.  I had to pull over.  A wave of emotions came over me.  It was at that moment that I truly took note that I no longer had that roll.  That thing that had to be hidden.  That extra fluff that was uncomfortable in a pair of jeans.  I mean, I knew it had been gone for a while... but when I say the other day, I mean last week.... last Wednesday to be exact.  You know, when you reach these moments it can be very emotional.

At that moment I realized that I am never going back in that box.  Not only have I stepped out of my zone with my own health and fitness, but I have taken it to a whole new level by becoming a coach and helping others.  I didn't take the decision to become a coach lightly. I put a lot of thought and prayer into it because at the time.. I knew it meant things that are bigger than me, more important than my own successes... it meant the successes of others.  Becoming a coach has been the one of the best decisions I have made in a long time.  Getting messages from my challengers about how they are CHANGING THEIR LIVES just makes my heart so full.

Whether leaving your comfort zone means that you start working out and eating right in the privacy of your own home, or maybe a gym... or leaving your comfort zone means putting yourself out there... taking on a new (sometimes scary) opportunity.  You won't see changes until you leave it.  

So, I am here to tell you....

BE THE EXCEPTION.
BE THE CHANGE.
BE DARING.

Anyone can do this.  You can be in the best shape of your life too.  You can help others too.  You can inspire.  You can leave your warm fuzzies.  Yes, it will be scary.

But it will be SO REWARDING.

Have a wonderful, scary day!  Step out of your zone today!  ~Joslin




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