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"
