What’s in it for me?
That’s the mantra most of us chant when searching for a way to avoid leaving The Zone of Comfort.
You know, The Zone of Comfort–that which allows you to leave Rocking the Boat to someone else. It’s what makes me find a reason for not attending one more Social Occasion, that which creates happiness in a lot of people while I’m seeking a quiet corner in which to peruse a book sitting on our host’s shelf.
Lately, of course, that option is difficult to find, since so many folks we know don’t own books–at least no visible books, except for that one coffee table volume that matches the drapes and has never been opened or read (I know this because of the fine layer of dust thereon).
Homes, condos, apartments without lots of books lying about, are rather scary to me. What is it that these people read? Highly condensed and expurgated factoids promulgated via television or internet or texting or tweeting or blogging or blasting? Is this where they obtain their knowledge of the world? If that’s the case, it’s a lot like learning your history and science lessons through the sole act of driving down the highway and reading billboards and signs and markers. You may absorb an amazing amount of disjointed information, but have you gained anything even remotely associated with wisdom or knowledge?
So where’s the fun in leaving The Zone of Comfort?
1. You just might learn something useful you’ve never before imagined.
2. You might learn something useless but utterly enjoyable.
3. You might learn something that will change the way you look at life.
4. You might learn something that will reinforce your belief in remaining within The Zone of Comfort.
5. You might unlearn something you always thought was The Only Way.
6. You might actually learn something educational and thought-provoking and transformative.
7. You might learn to lift The Cone of Silence and begin a new mind-expanding project or ten.
And so on.
Try busting out of The Zone of Comfort once a week. Standing vulnerable for a few moments will be more riveting than you can imagine. And besides, if it doesn’t work out, you can always slink back into the Zone and blame it all on me.
It couldn’t hurt
(c) Jim Reed 2011 A.D.