182 | What’s waiting for you outside your comfort zone?

WHAT’S WAITING FOR YOU OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE? || I almost didn’t do it. I almost gave in to my weariness and worries. I almost missed a beautiful opportunity.

In mid-January, I went on a retreat with my new speaker coach @sallyz_bemoved and other members of the Mover’s Lab. It was an event I didn’t want to miss, but I was also nervous. I was just beginning to recover from a really rough three weeks of a horrible cough and severely disrupted sleep. My energy and stamina were still low.  I didn’t feel prepared. 

Saturday was workshop day. Each of us participants had an opportunity to share what we were working on, our content at various stages of development and practice. As we moved through the day, my energy was waning. I felt ill-equipped to stand in front of the group and give them something worth their time.

I approached Sally. I shared that I was struggling physically. Then I said,

“I’m not going to do it.”

I had a backup plan. I had a video from my last talk. Could we watch that instead?

Gently and with great wisdom, Sally responded.

“I hear you.” Pause. “Are you sure you want to miss this opportunity?”

She was right. Gathered in that space, ready to support and encourage, was an extraordinary group of women. My job was simple–to show up as I was with what I had and go from there.

So I did.

What was waiting for me outside my comfort zone?

An abundance of grace and love as the women in the group met me where I was.

An abundance of wisdom and insight as they celebrated what they saw as strengths and as they asked questions or shared ideas and possibilities of what might serve my audience.

An abundance of possibility and hope. I was reminded that day that it is in the doing that we find clarity and in the moving that we get unstuck.

An abundance of belonging and community. In our presenting that day, each of us trusted the others with our vulnerability. Showing up and sharing our ideas, our presence in an unpolished way is no small thing. 

🌱What opportunity is inviting you outside your comfort zone?
🌱What might be waiting for you outside your comfort zone?