comfort zone...

when was the last time you did something outside of your comfort zone?

we all find that spot where we feel "safe" and want to stay there. safe, meaning protected from criticism, shielded from change, cocooned in, so to speak... there are always times we need to pull away in solitude or with only our closest companions to recharge and refresh, but i'm talking about isolating ourselves from ever having to experience anything that brings change to us. because that's what happens when you step outside your comfort zone. you are confronted with people, experiences, places, which force you to adapt, change, grow...even, rethink your "position". sometimes we need to experience discomfort in order to address selfishness which so quickly creeps in to all our lives. when we rarely or never step outside our comfort zones, we become judgmental, uncaring, skeptical, harsh, critical. we lose empathy for others. and empathy is what we all need more of. empathy is what tears down walls. at some point in your life, you will need empathy from others, so isn't it best to live with an attitude of empathy right now?

"...in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets," matthew 7:12. by "the law and the prophets", jesus was referring to what portion of the bible they had right then. in other words, treat everybody the way you want to be treated -- this sums up what the whole bible is about!

the next time you find yourself being overly critical and judgmental of people, rip yourself out of your comfort zone. go somewhere you've never been... try to see life from someone else's perspective... put yourself in their shoes. isn't that exactly what jesus did when he, who being god, came down to this earth, wrapped himself in humanity, and lived amongst us?... he refused to stay within his "comfort zone" in order to relate to us... how much more should we, being utterly human, refuse to stay within our selfish comfort zones in order to understand and empathize with one another more adequately...





c2010 Lorenda Houston