by Lori Mathison, © 1999
Stretching beyond our boundaries. Isn't that a key to living a fulfilled life?
In childhood we, with the help of those around us, set up certain limitations as to what we could, would or should do or not do. They were designed to keep us "safe". Some of these were set consciously, others unconsciously. We defined ourselves. We set parameters. A belief grew that I do "this"and do not do "that". These limits became our comfort zone. Most of us continue to live in these comfortable places where we do not feel the need to examine the beliefs we adopted as children.
The problem with comfort zones is that we tend to get stuck in them. These comfort zones are made up of negative thinking, and old, limiting beliefs which result in a patterned way of functioning in the world. Many times these do not work for us and yet we continue to think the same negative thoughts, feel the same old feelings, and believe the same limiting beliefs. Why should we expect different results when we keep doing things in the same old way?! If a student wrote on a math test that 2+2=5 and got it wrong, on the next math test would he answer "5" again? If he had learned from this, of course not! So why do we do this in our lives, day after day after day?
Does living in our comfort zones result in a rich and fulfilled life? Are we becoming all we can truly be if we only do that which we are used to doing?
We grow when we do things differently than we have done in the past. Trying new things, learning something new, keeping an open mind, or consciously changing an old pattern brings growth. Growth can occur in many areas, including physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. It also occurs on many levels.
Stretching causes growth. It feels so good inside when we grow! I believe this is the Creator's way of saying "Yes! Good job! Keep it up!" The good feeling is the carrot in front of the horse. It encourages us to keep expanding into Who We Are.
We are active participants in creating our lives. The Creator knows what the highest and best is for each one of us. We can choose to listen and follow this, or we can choose to do it our own way. When we do follow God's guidance, life flows smoothly along. As soon as we take life back into our own hands, we are telling God "Thanks, but I can take it from here". Our lives then reflect that decision by becoming difficult, coincidences stop happening, it seems to be a struggle again. Hence we are no longer "in the flow." Most of us live our lives from this place and do not know any differently. We expect life to be hard, therefore it is.
A person cannot know how richly fulfilled life can be until he or she surrenders to God. This surrender seems scary but it is really the most natural thing we can do. It takes practice, moment to moment. It entails letting go of what we think it should look like. God many times asks us to do things that are out of our comfort zone. This often triggers fear as well. But when we surrender that fear and do take the opportunity that is given to us, this is when we grow. God uses us to create good in other peoples' lives. Love is shared, boundaries are expanded, life is fuller for all.
Stretching beyond our comfort zones is important because it is letting in the light and love of God. As we expand this love within ourselves, we pass it on to others in the world. Then they have the opportunity to expand it within themselves and pass it on. This is the beautiful process of creation and evolution. We are expanding our awareness of Who We Are - Divine Beings of the One Light of Love.
| Main Page | |
Contributed Insights |