Stepping out of the comfort zone

Right now my heart is beating fast, my head is spinning with anticipation, and I have anxiety.  I liken to the feeling before an important event in your life is to take place: a  marathon, sporting event, public speaking, or knocking on your neighbors door to tell them their dogs are driving you insane with the barking.  This time, I am not about to do any of those tasks, and I honestly have really never done the later.  Today I am stepping out of my comfort zone to be a contributor on this project for Utah Mama.

When I applied for this awesome experience I had no idea I would be choosen. I was looking to expand my writing beyond my daily blog.  I think this fits the bill.  I will be exploring topics in the categories of running/health and elementry education.  Please read along, I would love your input, expertise, comments, and support.

Last fall I hiked Mt. Olympus, one of the highest peaks in the SLC valley, an elevation gain of 4,200 ft.  I did this knowing full well that I was afraid of heights, and that this particular hike was chock full of drop offs.  We started early in the morning, and the sky was dark. Which in the long run was god-send, since I could not see exactly how steep the drop offs were.  (Although I do remember at one point thinking, I better not step off the trail here…)

As we reached the base of the summit, I started experiencing all the feelings earlier listed, along with a bunch more.  I sat down in the fetal posistion debating on whether or not I should scramble up the last little bit so that I could summit, and see the view from the top, OR if reaching this point was enough of an accomplishment.

With encouragement and maybe a little prayer or two (that I was not going to die) I worked my way to the top.  So glad that I did.  I am positive next time I climb that mountain, I will no longer have the same fears.  For I have stepped out of this particular comfort zone.

Nobody likes stepping out of a comfort zone, but after doing so, you become a better person for doing so.

I would love to hear what takes you/or has taken you out of your comfort zone?

Top of Mt. Olympus

Tags: comfort zone, mt. olympus