Paying for Torture

Some things that you have done for years can still be out of your comfort zone. This morning I went to get a facial, or a "Deep Cleansing" as they call it (they being the thousands of professionals trained to disguise their malice with sweet smelling offices). Those who think going to a spa to get a facial is relaxing have obviously never gotten one. I knew what I was getting into, I just didn't remember it.

I was greeted by a lady with perfect skin, heavy makeup, and a huge green straw hat. She seemed harmless enough, even a little sweet. As I laid down on the padded table, she massaged my neck and put on hydrating, invigorating, mineral-filled, swiss, untainted, blah blah blah luscious lotion. I could have sworn she was just fancily slathering regular drugstore St.Ives while reading the label on the back. Then, she got out her huge magnifying glass with the blinding white light and put it right smack over my face. It was time to take out all of my "impurities" as she called them (which is how these deliverers of pain are trained to call all your zits and blackheads). Let the torture begin! As I writhed, squirmed, and whined under her evil hands all she could offer for solace was "I know it hurts, but these are the things we do for beauty". Forty minutes of pain passed and I could feel the tears welling up, but I held on like a big girl and prayed for it to be over.

Eventually, I survived of course, paid $50 for my lovely experience, and scheduled another one two weeks from now. I walked back to my car with a swollen face and a huge headache. Does it feel smooth? Yes, it does! Is it less "impure"? It better be!

Moral of the Story:
Getting "impurities" out of all the areas of your life isn't a pleasant experience. It's something that we have to do from time to time because they eventually build up again (even if you wash your face every day). Just like those on your face, getting "impurities" out of your character hurts like crazy, but feels and looks so much better when you get rid of them. Sometimes it's good when we have people around us that comfort us through the process, but most times we just need someone to say "I know it hurts, but it's worth it".

Before I left, the lady with the straw hat told me, "if you get a scab on any of them, don't touch it, it'll come off eventually". In our own lives, changes like these are bound to leave scars somewhere. The wisest thing we can do is let the scar heal on it's own and it'll eventually go away. If we pick at it, it'll last a whole lot longer.

Rollin' and Coastin'

Life is a series of ups and downs, twists and turns. You can approach the roller coaster of life with arms high in the air; willingly and ready for whatever comes next. Or you can grip the handlebars and fear for your life. The choice is yours.

Valery Satterwhite

When I was around 10, I went to Disney World and rode on Splash Mountain. While all of the kids were getting out of the cart all soaked and smiley, my heart was in my throat and my hands couldn't stop shaking. Needless to say, I swore I would never ride Splash Mountain, or any other big ride, every again. Out of all the other times I went to Disney World and Universal Studios over the next few years, I managed to stay safely on the ground. I held hats and purses while everybody else went to twist, twirl, loop, and scream.

A few weekends ago I found myself faced with Bizarro, the biggest and meanest roller coaster in Six Flags New England (the one in the picture). I was with a bunch of my friends who did not take NO for an answer. "You're getting on it, period". So, getting in touch with my "get-out-of-my-comfort-zone" summer challenge, I was persuaded to get into that 90-minute line for a 2 minute exhilaration. Was it worth it? OH YES! My heart stopped, my stomach dropped, my cheeks stretched, my knees wobbled, but it was AWESOME! The next weekend I went to a beach boardwalk and ran to all of the roller coasters and thrill rides there were.

Fear is probably the #1 reason for staying inside our comfort zones. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of getting hurt, fear of novelty. Rosanne Cash said "The key to change... is to let go of our fear." Getting to where you want to be can be pretty scary, just like the scariest part of the roller coaster is getting up loading area. If you go through it, you'll probably come back with a huge smile on your face and ready to run to the next roller coaster. When I went on Bizarro, the girl in front of me got on the seat, put the bar down, pulled it back up and jumped off the seat. If I had done that (and of course I wanted to do it) I wouldn't have felt the amazing thrill of flying through the air at 77 mph.

I'm not saying "Go and ride a roller coaster!" (although you should). I'm just saying "go conquer the fear that's keeping you inside your comfort zone." Eat the foods you haven't eaten, confront your boss, start that business, have that scary conversation, present your ideas in a meeting, go join a beauty pageant, go back to school, ask for a raise, ask a stupid question, go sky-diving. Whatever happens, you'll probably come out of it with a lot more experience and a good story.

Finally, the great Ralph Waldo Emerson said "He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life"

Expand your skill set!

“All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners... Looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they're not learning, they're not growing... not moving toward excellence.” - Denis Waitley

I found this cute diagram that depicts the problem of wanting to do something outside your comfort zone.

I realized that to be effective in getting to my specific aims I have to expand my skill set (just like learning a new methodology to do that awesome experiment... I love science analogies!).

Now, one of the things I've been doing the past two weeks (that is TOTALLY out of my comfort zone) is learning the International Waltz Dance (jijiji). I don't know what specific application this will have in my life, but hey, it's really fun!

The point is, though, that expanding ones skills in whatever random thing you want to is key to getting out of your comfort zone and reaching your goal.

On a smaller and more embarrassing note, I'm also learning how to ride a bike. Yes, a bike. Sometimes one's skill set is smaller than you'd think.

New Day, New Goals

So, while I'm looking over the night Boston Skyline just over the Charles River, I'm falling in love with my new hometown. And just as new surroundings beg for new adventures, they also call for new goals and priorities.That's what Purple Plaid Pajamas (P3) is all about. It's a challenge, a calling, a celebration of my new life at MIT.

I will be venturing out to the great unknown (all the T stops!) and undiscovered (where to break my diet) in a search to fall in love... with myself, my life, and my surroundings!

So just like any good scientist, here's the P3 plan :

The Observation: Eli has a new life that she has to enjoy
The Hypothesis: The experimental variable (Eli's ability to adapt to new situations) will have a direct and positive effect on the dependent variable (Eli's happiness as a grad student)
Specific Aims:
Specific Aim#1: Get out of the comfort zone.
Specific Aim#2: Try something new every week.
Specific Aim#3: Enjoy my favorite things

Methodology: Push myself to the limit, do something I've never done before, do science, make food, go to the park, soak in the sun, talk to God, sound smart, be smart, laugh at myself, learn something new.