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| (photo from ambassadorscare.com) |
When we avoid doing things that are new and different we remain inside our comfort zone. This may feel safe, but it limits our experiences. When you push yourself into doing something you normally would never do it is called a "Not Doing". It doesn't have to be a big change to reap a big reward. Even the smallest Not Doing will effectively decrease your self limitations and increase your personal freedom.
The biggest Not Doing for me was overcoming my fear of the ocean. I used to be afraid of sharks, so I would never go past my knees in the Gulf of Mexico near my home. I had convinced myself that since there were indeed sharks in this area that it wasn't safe to swim over my head. (Very rarely is anyone attacked here.) I decided to conquer this fear by swimming out to a buoy that was 30 yards out from shore. I stood at the water's edge for a few minutes, pondering my fear, and my chances of swimming there and back without getting attacked. Finally, I started walking into the water. I was almost half way there, waist deep, when the most unexpected thing happened. As I continued walking I was walking up hill! By the time I reached the buoy, I was in two feet of water standing on top of a sand bar! All these years, I never knew that my fear was unwarranted. I realized that it was the fear itself that had paralyzed me. I regained so much power from that experience that I can now swim without anxiety.
You can start by Not Doing some little things. One of my favorites is wearing silly hats. Change how you normally dress, or change your hair. If you are an extrovert, try being quiet. If you are an introvert, become the life of the party. Challenge yourself to push beyond your self limitations. What can you Not Do today?
Enjoy your journey~
Laura Barrette Shannon
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