Try anything new lately?
I just got back from Whistler. Amazing! I've been skiing regularly for the last few years, but my experience in Whistler made me feel like I had never skied before. (and yes, I did take this picture after skiing through the bowl!)
To say I stepped out of my comfort zone is an understatement. I was skiing hills I was afraid to look at, could probably never walk down, and generally a "challenge."
I won't lie to you and tell you that it was easy ... it wasn't. I seriously questioned my judgement as well as my ability!
However, at night in bed, I was generally really proud of me and what I had done! I stretched. I pushed my limits, I did more than I was comfortable with, and I felt great about it.
When was the last time you did something that caused you to stretch?
Maybe it was applying for a job you didn't think you were qualified for, maybe it was taking your French equivalency without considering yourself fluent (and passed!). For some of you, it was a first date in twenty years, or getting back to the gym.
Share with us what has caused you to stretch. It will challenge all of us to do something similar.
While it is pretty late in the season for most of us to jump on a ski hill, do something that makes your heart race, your stomach knot, and most importantly, makes you really proud to have even tried!
To say I stepped out of my comfort zone is an understatement. I was skiing hills I was afraid to look at, could probably never walk down, and generally a "challenge."
I won't lie to you and tell you that it was easy ... it wasn't. I seriously questioned my judgement as well as my ability!
However, at night in bed, I was generally really proud of me and what I had done! I stretched. I pushed my limits, I did more than I was comfortable with, and I felt great about it.
When was the last time you did something that caused you to stretch?
Maybe it was applying for a job you didn't think you were qualified for, maybe it was taking your French equivalency without considering yourself fluent (and passed!). For some of you, it was a first date in twenty years, or getting back to the gym.
Share with us what has caused you to stretch. It will challenge all of us to do something similar.
While it is pretty late in the season for most of us to jump on a ski hill, do something that makes your heart race, your stomach knot, and most importantly, makes you really proud to have even tried!
Labels: challenge, ski, stretch, uncomfortable
posted by Rhonda! @ 7:54 PM
2 Comments:
At 11:45 AM,
Anonymous said…
After high school, I took a job with the only book store in town. I did the best job I could in a position that lasted two years. Below the book store, there was a small law office, one lawyer and three admin staff. I frequently took my coffee breaks with the girls and quite often the lawyer, as well. They got to know me and I them.
One day, while taking out the garbage, which by the way was downstairs at the back of the law office, one of the girls, the office manager, asked if I wanted a job. I jokingly replied "what cleaning up after your gone?" The law office was moving to a new location on Main Street. Apparently, she was serious. I was flabbergasted to say the least, but quickly decided to accept the position, with only a high school typing course under my belt. I was never officially interviewed by the lawyer, but they must have saw something in me to take a chance. I started on a Monday and the first point of business was a few minutes with my new boss. During that very short period of time, the only very important piece of advice he gave me was "whatever happens in this office, stays in this office". In a nut shell, confidentiality was key, and I never let him down.
I won't say the first year was easy, because it was not. Other than the typing, the high school courses I took, never prepared me for this job. It was hard and had no room for errors. Many days, I would go home and cry. One day, in fact, I called the Employment Insurance office and asked what my options were if I quit. It wasn't promising. With that in mind, I returned to work and spoke with the manager about my difficulties. Doing that really helped. From that point on, I decided that I could do the job. If they saw the potential in me, then I realized that it must be there and I just needed to find it for myself.
I worked for the "old-school" lawyer for 7 1/2 years. He was quite the mentor and the epitome of professionalism. Five days a week, he wore a suit. He always encouraged us to try something first and then ask for assistance. We took notes and learned. In doing so we each enhanced our strengths and developed our weaknesses to a comfortable level of satisfaction. I learned so much from him, and at the same time, I learned so much about myself ...my potential, my abilities and new found confidence in not being afraid to try something new. I would have worked there forever, but at 70 +, my boss finally retired.
To this day, I still feel that it was the best working experience of my career. I'm glad I stuck with it. It got me where I am today, and for that I am very grateful.
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll only get what you've always got" Bella Abzug
At 3:07 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hi Rhonda, I know this is a late comment, but I just found your blog. I am not athletic by any stretch of the imagination, but I decided that I need to become more athletic for many reasons. I decided to join a running program, and on Sept 30, I ran 5K for breast cancer. It was such a big accomplishment for me, and I can honestly say that I am proud of me! I used to see poeple running on the roadside & say they're nuts, but now when I see them I think, I wish I was runnig right now, or I mentally tell them Go for it!
Post a Comment
<< Home