Wednesday, March 1, 2017

IWSG March 2017--Comfort Zones

I missed last month due to lots of craziness. The good news is my life is finally settling into a schedule. I'm no longer substitute teaching, but have a new job working for my community's POA (Property Owner's Association). It has definitely been a change. Which brings me to today's topic.

Last Sunday, one of the talks at church really struck a cord with me. (We don't have paid clergy, but individual members take turns preparing talks each week.) Anyway, here's what stuck with me.

Nothing great ever came from comfort zones.

The speaker went on to share the following scripture:
Ether 12:27
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
Wow, this was exactly what I needed to hear. It confirmed for me that the changes I had been making were good for me, even though they were hard. None of us are perfect, but we can learn and grow stronger when we trust in the Lord.

Okay, I'll move to something more secular for you to relate to. I have a sweet puppy who is very loving and energetic. However, when she gets over stimulated she retreats to her comfort/safe zone. She will lay half way under the couch for half an hour or so until she feels ready to come out.


Sometimes this isn't enough. She will wiggle her way all the way under the couch and stay for hours.


How many times do we do this with our writing? I know I like to stay in my little scifi/fantasy world. I can make up any technology or magic device needed to solve my problems. We need to read outside our comfort zones for the same reasons. We will learn and grow in ways we can never plan.

I've stepped out of my comfort zone in the last four months and struggled to write a contemporary story. It wasn't easy, but I learned so much about myself. I learned that if I worked hard enough I could do it. I'm kind of proud of that.

So, here's my challenge for you. Figure out what your comfort zone is.
Are you hiding there?
What can you do to push yourself forward?


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!  Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

March Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

I'm currently pulling out some old bits and pieces of Sendek history in an effort to rework a story I can give for free. So far it's a lot of fun, but I don't know how it will work out in the end. :)

13 comments:

  1. Yes! I hear you about leaving the comfort zone. If we're not at least a little uncomfortable at all times, we're not growing. Here's to getting out from under the couch and fighting for awesomeness!

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  2. Well said! Comfort zones are mediocrity.
    Your dog is hilarious.

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    1. :) I sure think so. She also likes to sit on my computer every time I try to write.

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  3. Spring always puts me in a happy fighting mood!

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  4. Comfort zones are nice, but yeah, I agree, it's better to challenge yourself. It's how we all grow. Just don't ditch the comfort zone because it might be needed during a particularly rough patch.

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    1. In the past I've been known to shut down on rough patches. I always count it good when I pick myself up and move forward once more.

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  5. Glad things are going well for you. Sometimes we need to get pushed out of our comfort zones to grow. Although, sometimes you really do need the comfort zone ;)

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    1. Especially after a long work week, right? I'm thinking comfort zones every once in a while will be better for me than comfort foods. Know what I mean? LOL

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  6. Adversity pushes us to become - more. I think life is a learning lesson. Sometimes we fail, learn, get up and try again. Perfection isn't the point, or the goal. Learning, growing, and yes, sometimes taking a time out, moves us towards achievement - even if its not what we planned or expected.

    And, at least the puppy does return when she is ready to join in again. Sometimes I need a hiding place to regroup too.

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    1. LOL, I know. I still need an hour of quiet hiding time every once in a while. I hide in my room. As long as we do come out and rejoin the world at the end we will keep progressing. Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Love those comfort zones.They're so safe. I could've stayed with writing sci-fi romance, but I'd written romantic suspense and took a chance on getting it published. And then I tried cozy mysteries. I love writing all 3, but it took branching out (of my comfort zone) to bring in more readers, including my sisters who don't care for sci-fi. LOL

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  8. I sometimes take issue with what people call "great" in that I'm not so sure that anything "great" should actually be admired. There's a lot to be admired in the "not great." For example, I was listening to this girl talk about how she took two years of her life to walk across the country with her girlfriend, how they met with homeless people and slept out in the wild, and brought awareness to the plight of gay homeless youth. People celebrated her as a hero. I brought up that I'm a hero too, and people were like...what? I said, "I go to a job every single day and pay taxes and contribute to society. Sure, it's not flashy or 'great' but I don't think it's anything less than heroic. If you've ever worked 8 to 5 years on end...that kind of tedium can drain the soul. I think people that do it are heroes of a different kind, but no less great." In other words, Charity, I think that we have a society that praises leadership qualities too much. There are now too many chiefs and not enough indians. Some people need to take up the heroic task of not being great, of being normal, of being average, and of following instead of leading. What a concept, right?

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