Every now and then we need to get out of our comfort zone
Are you in a rut? Do you feel you keep going around the same track, doing the same kinds of things in the same places, with the same people? Well, today might be the time to step boldly out of your comfort zone and do something different!
It could be something simple, like a different place to eat lunch. Or a cuisine you’ve never tried. Or it could be something radical, like a different way of being or behaving. Often we want others to change, and point the finger at them, abhoring their behaviour. However, if we change ourselves it’s a whole lot easier, no-one else involved, and once we change our dance steps, our partners and friends will change too!
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Out of the box’ Meditation
Relax, breathe deeply, and find yourself entering a darkened mini-cinema just for you. Sit down as the curtains open and the show begins. See yourself appearing on the screen. Watch the everyday scenes of your life, just as it is now. Watch what you are doing, where you are going, how you are behaving. Notice how you feel now. Now, breathe in, and wish for a fairy, guide, or angel to come and magic a different scene for you. As you watch, you see yourself coming ‘out of the box’, doing something different. You begin to become aware of some new possibilities for yourself. Notice how you are feeling. Play with the possibilities a bit more on the screen if you wish. Then gently return to the room bringing your new awareness with you.
What have you always wanted to do, but never got round to? Make a quick list, now!
1 ___________________________________
2 ___________________________________
3 ___________________________________
4 ___________________________________
5 ___________________________________
6 ___________________________________
7 ___________________________________
8 ___________________________________
9 ___________________________________
10 ___________________________________
Prioritise your list according to what attracts you most. No judgement, no agonising, just how you intuitively feel, right now! Now, look at your first choice. It might seem daunting. It might seem like a big thing to achieve. So ask youself, what would be the very first step you could take towards it? Keep it simple, and small – even, looking up a phone number to find out information, or calling a friend who might know something, or getting a brochure. And commit to taking that step in the next two days. When you’ve completed that step, work out what the next step is, and do it.
Barriers and Fears
If we are not doing something that we know we’d love to, and that would be good for us, it’s usually because there is an unnamed fear in the way. It’s very common to fear success, to fear the reaction of others, to fear our mate will no longer love us if we achieve it, and so on. So, taking your number one choice again, write down your fears, like this: ‘I’m afraid to achieve choice one because...’ and keep going til you’ve done at least ten or more. When complete, merely acknowledge that you have chosen to be afraid, that you love yourself despite the fact that you are afraid, and embrace it. This will release your fears. You may feel different!
And now for something COMPLETELY different!
Taking it a step further, what is it that makes us grow? It is, of course, coming out of our comfort zone, and daring to take a risk by trying something different. Typically, we fear looking foolish, we fear making mistakes, we fear being different from other people, not fitting in, and most of all, we fear shining and being so brilliant that we attract derision and envy! However, the art of living dangerously gets easier and easier with practise until it becomes almost embarrassingly normal. Until ones friends don’t even bat an eyelid. This is a very exhilarating way to live!
I am not, however, advocating disregarding the feelings and needs of others. They need to be taken into account as part of the picture. Making mistakes is ok, however, as long as we don’t judge ourselves, and beat ourselves up. Others will be more inspired by a daring act that fails, than a lifetime of banal mediocrity! More importantly, YOU may be more inspired by it!
Feeling really stuck?
If you’ve really got yourself in a pot-hole, consider getting some help. The many holistic healers around act as guides, and can often help you discover a route out of the mire that may be invisible to you! It’s always worth investing in a new perspective to help you move on. Believe in your dreams!
NEXT ISSUE: Mantras – singing your dreams into being
Jelila is a gifted natural intuitive who travels internationally. Jelila will be in Bali in May/June 2005. For information and bookings about transformational healing sessions and ‘Having it all – NOW!’ workshops, please email.
Jelila has some new Healing CDs available in Singapore, including ‘Goldensong’ a special healing CD which opens you to possibilities. Please visit www. holisticliving.com.sg to find out more, including Singapore stockists.
Jelila welcomes comments and may be contacted on:
Email: jelila@jelila.com
Website: www.jelila.com or www.imagine-retreats.com
