LornaA few months ago my husband asked me if I’d like to present someone an award on behalf of our family agriculture business, when he would be out of town. I happily agreed knowing I would feel nervous while doing it.
Sometimes I will choose to do things that can make me feel uncomfortable but are good things to do. Most times, discomfort is the price of growth. I want to grow and improve. Staying comfortable doesn’t help me learn and grow. I like to practice reminding myself that negative emotions won’t hurt me. I can feel nervous, scared, sad, and a myriad of other emotions. Emotions are just vibrations in my body. I can feel them. I don’t need to hide or shy away from them.
One of the reasons we don’t want to do things that make us uncomfortable is because we dump negative talk onto it. If it doesn’t go right then we beat ourselves up. Why did I agree to that? That was dumb. Why did I say it that way? I’m an idiot. I hate myself. I’m the worst.
A few years ago I made the decision to be gentle with myself. I have worked on talking to myself the same way I talk to my kids, hubby, or everyone else, actually. I’m naturally a supporter and encourager, some even call me a cheerleader. I try to cheer others on, as well as myself. Sometimes I slip up but I keep working at it and I have gotten pretty good at it.
The night to present a high school senior with a scholarship from our business arrived. The high school auditorium was filled with a lot of students and their parents. I walked up on the stage, stumbled on a few words, kept going, finished my one minute presentation, and walked off.
I didn’t trip.
I didn’t die.
I felt nervous.
My heart was racing.
My hands felt cold and clammy.
My body felt a little warmer than usual.
But I did it.
After I finished, I felt almost giddy. My heart rate and body temperature took a few minutes to normalize. But I did it. It felt so good to do something a little uncomfortable. I was brave! Yay me!
What’s something that feels uncomfortable to you, that is in line with your values and who you want to be, but would feel better to avoid? Choose to do it anyway. Let yourself feel uncomfortable. Don’t beat yourself up. Cheer yourself on in the process and after it’s over.
Discomfort is the price of growth. It’s worth it. You can do it!