“..life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”  So began the daily group email  from Neale Donald Walsch that I receieved this past Thursday morning. I think about that concept each day, as my eyes open to greet whatever awaits in the next 24 hours. How will I be called on to stretch physically, emotionally, mentally and/or spiritually?  In yoga, we talk about ‘going to your edge’, moving your body to extend to where you have been and then perhaps a wee bit further each time, becoming more elastic in all ways. For some, going to their edge on the mat may be ‘cobra’ or ‘upward facing dog’ (similar to the position of the baby in the picture) and for some it may be an inverted pose, like a handstand.  How often have I (and perhaps you) shied away from getting anywhere near the perimeter when what is out there feels intimidating or frightening? But how can we possibly know how far we are capable of going until we know how far we are willing to go?

Last week, when in conversation with my friend Ondreah, we were musing about the things we have experienced over the past 5 decades of our lives and how hard I am on myself at times, with the drum-beat hammering thoughts in my head about ‘not doing it right’ and ‘not being enough’.  She said something to the effect of : “You know, some things you are doing for the first time.”  It is like taking those first steps as a nearly one year old. Likely, when I attempted motoring on my own two feet rather than on all fours, I wobbled and even fell.  I probably didn’t think “Oh, I’m so clumsy, I might as well scoot around on my butt for the rest of my life.” I got back up and took the next step and the next and the next and whatya’ know…..I’m truckin’ across the floor to the applause of my delighted parents. Hopefully the same is true for you.

If memory serves, Ondreah may have been referring to my new responsibilities as the executor of my mother’s affairs and how I have felt nervous about the tasks involved.   If that is the case, without a template or model, how can I expect myself to ‘do it right’?  All I can do is follow step by step, what needs to be done, ask for and be willing to receive support from people who do have experience and can be guides along the way and just give myself the space to simply BE with the process. And the same is true about publishing my ‘Bliss Book’.  I’m a seasoned writer but had not a clue how to do the editing and publishing ‘stuff’.  The experts are holding my hand and guiding me through the process. Perhaps THAT beyond all else is my own comfort zone.

What is it that you are doing for the first time?

Karen Drucker’s song I Will Be Gentle With Myself is the perfect balm that will help me stretch  so that I can reach beyond where I thought I could go. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihWYx-QJ95I