Sunday Story…When was…

The last time you did something for the first time? I heard this phrase yesterday at the start of the Dallas Tough Mudder. It reminded me of the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt…”do something every day that scares you.”

So really…When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I’m waiting…waiting…waiting…been a while hasn’t it? Many of you are taking on new things this fall…eliminating alcohol or sugar for 30 days for instance. Or eating clean or making sure you get to the gym 4 days a week. These things count. They don’t have to be huge, earth shattering things. Just do things you have never done.

Here is the challenge…can you do something for the first time every week for the next 52 weeks? Maybe culminate the 52 weeks with a really big scary thing like sky diving or a marathon or a Tough Mudder?

Getting out of your comfort zone is a habit and a good one to develop. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. You can’t change and develop into something new using the same thoughts and activities that you used to get where you currently are. You must utilize new thought patterns and do different things and the only way to do that is step out of the box you are living in. The box confines you. The box defines you. The box keeps you safe and secure.

Getting out of the box allows you to become something more, something new, and something that hasn’t existed before. Yet you will still be you. Just a bigger you…a you with the habit of trying new things and new experiences. It’s going to be a little scary, I admit. It’s going to be a little dangerous. Things might go wrong. They might not turn out quite the way you planned. No matter what happens…you will learn things, you will grow, and you might even have a little fun along the way.

You have to try. You have been trying new things all your life. Walking, running, and talking were all new things at one time. We want our kids to try new foods. Maybe you should too? Don’t like eggplant? Find a new recipe and try some. Afraid of running? Of lifting weights? Of what? Why? Fear is unreasonable and usually unfounded on anything in reality. It is usually a reaction to something we anticipate happening…which may never happen.

Go do something you haven’t done before. Brush your teeth with the other hand. Jump off the high dive at the pool. Take a new route on your run. It really doesn’t matter what it is…it will develop the habit of doing new things.

See you out of the box!

Namaste

John Mariotti
www.crossfit-odyssey.com
www.martialartsnevada.com
www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com
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