Stepping out of your comfort zone is disconcerting for anyone. If it wasn’t, we would call it walking. But leaving that place of emotional security while also anticipating that every person in your life will understand your perspective is not simply unsettling. It is unrealistic.
Very few people have the ability to openly embrace change. Even fewer have the capacity to actively seek it. When they see someone in their inner circle bucking the system, it rankles them and scratches their own fears to the surface.
While I am displeased with this admission, the raw truth is that I can most certainly be one of those inflexible and easily rankled buzzkills of a human. Seeing someone I care about do something that doesn’t fit their normal pattern concerns me. I take a marathon sprint down the mental worry path and start listing various possible barriers to their success (hopefully these thoughts occur via my “excessive and overthinking” inner voice but unfortunately the ponderings frequently happen through my “excessive and needs to shut up immediately” outer voice).
It’s not that I don’t want the people whom I care about to do well. That’s not it at all. I absolutely want them to be successful. However my desire to protect that person from any harm becomes entangled with my own insecurities, hurts, and memories of past disappointments (a.k.a. My Issues and Me – The Less Sexy Shades of MoJo).
My focus on any potential negative outcomes shadows my ability to recognize the other equally possible positive outcomes. I worry about their chance of failure, but in doing this, I miss the reality that their willingness to get on the playing field at all means that they are already taking part in the game. Thankfully I almost always manage to get on board eventually. I just need time to realize (once more) that my self-imposed limitations need not apply to anyone else’s hopes and dreams.
So when the tables turn and this happens to me – when I say that I want to venture further away from my own comfort zone and I find myself feeling the sting from a response that pushes me to stay with the status quo – I recognize the source of that other person’s reaction. I am reminded once more that my belief in myself cannot be diminished by another person’s insecurities.
No one in this world has the right to deny you your hopes and dreams. No one. And if they are doing that, it is only happening because you are handing them that power. Don’t ever sacrifice your light to someone else’s fear.
Always dream, and when you do, always dream fantastically big.
This is your journey, and there are endless choices you can make. Just be sure that the ones you select are truly yours.
We may not always succeed with every attempt that we make, but we will never even get the chance to find out what we can achieve if we continually refuse to try. Don’t allow the words of another to weigh you down.
We each have something wonderfully unique and wildly special within us. When you feel like you are stepping into the zone and that you are kindling the spark within you, that is the divinity of your soul cheering you on.
Listen to that voice. Follow that feeling. Release the fears, find your wings, and take flight.
Love and light always – Joanna
***Photos in this post were taken from my airplane window while traveling to San Diego for work this week.
Momentum of Joy 
Oct 04, 2017 @ 23:42:28
Great photos Jo. I like my comfort zone too I hate working outside it. But I suppose we all have to move out of the zone sometime or the other. I have a tantrum like a 4 year old ‘why me’ sometimes in my mind and sometimes in real (quite embarrassing to see that, mom threatens to take a vid of me having a full blown tantrum) but then somethings we have to face and go ahead. But I do it after having a full blown self pity party
Oct 04, 2017 @ 23:47:07
But I don’t know if it is always right to be in the comfort zone. My friends say that it is my fear which is preventing me from realizing myself and trying new things. That has been very true. Sometimes when I look back at my life and see what all I have lost, that self preservative mode kicks in and I hold my fear and comfort zone closer. But I am trying to do new things Jo but believe me, I am scared too… New relationships new people allowing people to enter my life… All this scares me… I hate being emotional…. Woman, the list keeps on growing. I will end up filling your comments section hehehe
But I am doing better now. I have decided to let go of the compulsions of getting my dreams fulfilled
Oct 05, 2017 @ 20:56:14
Everyone feels that way! You just happen to be honest about it. ❤️
Oct 05, 2017 @ 20:40:36
I do the same. Makes my husband furious with me!!!
Oct 04, 2017 @ 23:49:18
I have my dreams, I have changed them a bit now, too many heartbreaks so now my dreams are all about what I want to achieve..
I have been told to write a book by friends and foes alike… Should I??? Maybe some day
Oct 05, 2017 @ 20:57:24
YES YOU SHOULD! And you don’t have to give up on your dreams. Just add a few others in the meantime. I believe in you always darling! 🤗🤗🤗🤗
Oct 05, 2017 @ 00:25:31
A great read and such lovely words of inspiration and encouragement.
Oct 05, 2017 @ 00:36:16
I think we need to start normalising failure more and more because it is such an integral part of the learning process and must be embraced in order to try new things and reach success in the long run. Also, it is super important to not take it personally whenever someone doubts your hopes and dreams because failure is often associated with not taking a conventional path..
Loved reading this! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week x
Oct 05, 2017 @ 20:58:57
I agree with you girl! Failure is only true failure if we don’t learn or if we give up. I love your comment! You are pretty fantastic stuff lady. 😘
Oct 05, 2017 @ 01:14:19
Well said Jo…loved this post!! 🙂
Oct 05, 2017 @ 20:59:33
Thank you darling!!
Oct 06, 2017 @ 02:50:48
welcomeeeee
Oct 05, 2017 @ 01:21:40
Believe. Nothing is impossible. Step out of the boat. 🙂
Oct 05, 2017 @ 21:00:46
That comment brought tears to my eyes. Stunningly beautiful words. See? I told you that you were (are) amazing. ❤️
Oct 06, 2017 @ 03:01:40
Thank you.
Oct 05, 2017 @ 03:01:52
Such an honest post
Oct 05, 2017 @ 21:01:34
Sometimes that’s a big fat fault of mine, but sometimes it isn’t the worst part of me. 😉
Oct 05, 2017 @ 06:21:22
Beautiful words! Beautiful window shots!
Oct 05, 2017 @ 21:01:45
Thank you lovely!
Oct 05, 2017 @ 08:40:25
Such a brilliant message my friend. And it is mist certainly something we all need to remember. It is human nature, I think, to instinctively worry about others when we see them stepping out of their normal routine. But it is not our right to impose those worries so carelessly upon then. They deserve the right to experience it, even if they fail…. Thanks for sharing this awesome reminder!!!!
Oct 05, 2017 @ 21:04:23
Someone who meant well reminded me first. At least I can be thankful for that result. 😂
Oct 05, 2017 @ 08:51:41
This is dead on perfect! You need to be in the game to win, and winning doesn’t really mean winning, it means taking an active part in life. Change is hard….and I am much better at telling people to go for it than I am a teacher doing it myself, but change and adapting really are different things to different people……you just go reach for the stars….but please stay in the airplane……
Oct 05, 2017 @ 21:07:16
As much of a daredevil as I am known to be (I’m a wild child) (shocker), I don’t feel compelled to jump out of a plane. My mother did it for her 65th birthday (I think it was 65) but it doesn’t call to me. And yes. You are an amazing teacher. I actually want to take a day and go through all gazillion posts on your blog. I learn so much from your wisdom. I mean that darling friend. ❤️
Oct 05, 2017 @ 21:30:11
My husband jumped out of a plane…..as I have horrible fear of falling….I admit that sky diving is not in my future…..I’m perfectly happy in the plane……
Oct 05, 2017 @ 22:01:16
I am not a fan of heights at all either.
Oct 05, 2017 @ 22:01:55
I’m sort if happy being grounded…..
Oct 05, 2017 @ 10:07:51
Wonderful thoughts.. and I agree with you
“Always dream, and when you do, always dream fantastically big.
This is your journey, and there are endless choices you can make. Just be sure that the ones you select are truly yours.”
The choices are always ours, and often we self sabotage ourselves because we do not wish to come off our comfort blankets.. We need to trust in taking those first steps out of our comfort zones means the next steps get easier..
The first push is often the hardest.. But once we leap.. we learn we can fly!!
Blessings your way Joanna Lovely read
Sue 🙂
Oct 05, 2017 @ 21:09:49
Thank you so very much sweet Sue. I find that I worry way too much about what other people think. It’s okay to care, but it’s not ok to change yourself into something you aren’t for the sake of pleasing others. We are too special to try to be like everyone else! Your comment really made me smile. Thank you again darling friend. ❤️
Oct 06, 2017 @ 09:18:15
Yes, conditioning of life times have made us think this way… But you are making those steps that are the most important ones.. Learning to put self first.. and please yourself first.. That is not being selfish, but learning that our energy is important. as we build our energies, and do not let others deplete it by their own demands.. 🙂
Much Love 🙂
Oct 05, 2017 @ 23:33:44
Beautiful post. It takes a lot to see yourself in someone who is doing something you might not like. Go forth and conquer! Maybe the person who wished that you would embrace the status quo will find the courage from your example to something out of their comfort zone. Gorgeous pics, too!
Oct 06, 2017 @ 05:48:05
Thank you so much honey. ❤️ Hopefully I can learn from it, too!
Oct 06, 2017 @ 07:33:34
Thank you so very much for the love honey!! I’m so thrilled that I found you and your amazing blog! You have the best energy and a spectacularly beautiful spirit. 😘
Oct 13, 2017 @ 07:53:03
Amen sister! Amen! Well said! LOVE it! Change is good!
Oct 13, 2017 @ 08:13:01
Ha! Thank you love. 🙂 I need to remind myself about that multiple times every single day! 😉
Oct 18, 2017 @ 05:59:59
I’m so sorry that I didn’t respond to this! You got spammed by the comment manager. Have you been trying to monetize people’s blogs again BBB???? 😂❤️