Courageously Defying Your Comfort Zone

 

Picture this:

Your favorite armchair, that same old routine, a life wrapped in predictability. It’s comforting, sure – especially with the world shifting under our feet these days. But deep down, you know it’s a cage, if you are unable to move forward with your life in joy and peace. When I sit at home all cozy drinking my coffee or glass of wine – reading a great book, enjoying dinner, or writing an article for you, I feel safe and peaceful. Although those moments are lovely, there is much more to life.

Writing and publishing my book, “Change Your Movie, Change Your Life” – 7 Reel Concepts for Courageous Change had me shaking in my boots! I knew that no matter how painful all the loss that occurred in those few short years had been, that throughout the journey of writing, there would be much healing and peace. Not just for myself, but for others. It was a long road to travel (my husband’s endless support made all the difference!) but it was part of my life’s journey that was meant to be. If writing my book changed one persons perspective on death, grief and life, I was successful. Writing articles and sharing my Living in Courage Newsletters are a joy in my life.

What if stepping out could unlock something bigger?

Embracing Uncertainty: It’s not easy, but leaning into the unknown can be your strength. Think of it as trading a map for a compass – scary, but you’ll find your way.

Tuning Out the Noise: That inner voice screaming “stay safe” or the well-meaning advice to stick with what works? Give it a polite nod and keep moving. Your gut knows more than the crowd.

Taking Action: Start small—say yes to a new challenge, reach out to someone unexpected, or chase a dream you’ve shelved. Seek out a mentor you respect to exchange dreams and ideas with. The possibilities are endless!

One step can shift everything, and you’re tougher than you think. Add a bold move like facing a fear head-on. Do something that scares you, or tackle a physical challenge you’ve avoided. Even journaling your fears and burning the page can be a defiant act. How about volunteering? Helping someone else can kick-start your own courage. This courage takes shape differently across the globe…

Diverse Nod: As I just mentioned courage looks, feels, and is experienced differently everywhere. A nurse in Kenya learning a new skill to save lives. A single mom or dad starting a side hustle to support their family. A retiree in Italy mentoring youth. An autistic woman rebuilding her life through art, or a farmer in Brazil adapting to organic crops. It’s universal, and it’s yours to claim, no matter the challenge.

Overcoming the Fear of Change

Change is coming—technology’s reshaping our lives, exploration’s pushing us to new frontiers, and who knows, maybe aliens will join the party. It’s natural to freeze up, but here’s the trick: break it down. Start by imagining one future shift – like mastering a new app or dreaming of a long awaited road trip, and take a step toward it. The future’s wild and uncertain, but your courage can tame it. Don’t let fear run wild over things that may never happen. Laugh at the fear – it’s just a speed bump, not a wall.

Take the time to reflect on a past win, like I did with my book – to fuel your next step. When we look back, it’s amazing what we’ve accomplished. As we move forward, it’s easy to forget the important moments in our lives, simply because we are moving too fast looking for something new. Take the time to pat yourself on the back – you deserve it.

Trust in This: The Universe Guides and Provides. Are your ears and eyes open to this? The clues are everywhere if you make a conscious decision to notice them. Do not join the ranks of the walking dead. Stay alert, open, and quiet your mind to this guidance. Your personal navigational guide waiting for you to say, “Hey, sometimes I forget my inner wisdom and guidance is my cosmic GPS – time to stop backseat driving and let it steer me to the stars!”

Uplifting Soul Punch

Comfort keeps you calm, but living in courage wakes you up to a life that’s truly yours. Grab that bike, throw on some cowboy boots and ride off into the sunset! Take that leap – not because you have to, but because you can.

Comments

  1. A very poignant and well-timed article—especially as I’m becoming increasingly aware that my nightly puzzle-playing “relaxation” sessions might be better spent learning something new. I also found the additional article on EDTA quite valuable. Thank you, Debra.

    • Debra Oakland says

      Thanks, Teresa – awareness finds us in mysterious ways. I couldn’t resist sharing the excellent info on EDTA in my newsletter. I’m happy you found value in it!

  2. Fransisca says

    Wow! Happy 10 years!!! Loved this and every newsletter. So many amazing nuggets. Thank u so much for all the work u put into these newsletters. U have a beautiful way with words.

    • Debra Oakland says

      Fransisca – Can you believe it’s been 10 years? I am grateful to you and all my subscribers for taking the time to read my articles and my Living in Courage Newsletter!

  3. Congratulations on your 10 year newsletter anniversary! That’s huge! Love your articles! Thanks for sharing your wisdom, love and insight with us. It’s truly I think one of the most important aspects of our time on this planet is to experience, learn and share that with others. Be the beacon of hope and love for those along the way and you have done that in bundles. Thank you.
    Love this article, food for thought again. Finding the sweet spot between comfort and adventure into the unknown is our mission! 🙂

    • Debra Oakland says

      Wow, thank you for your heartfelt message Sally. I’m truly honored to be a part of your journey and to share in this mission of spreading courage, wisdom, love, and hope. Cheers to many more years of exploring that sweet spot we all strive to achieve in life.

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