Getting out of your comfort zone

A few days ago, I did something that took me firmly out of my comfort zone!

Solidly.

Let me explain.

For almost 20 years, I’ve had a tradition. That of joining my voice to those of the members of the choir where my father was director of the church choir for many years, for midnight mass. Every Christmas, I sing with them. Not only does it give me pleasure, it does me a lot of good.

Singing is one of the elements of joy. You know that, don’t you? If you don’t, you’re not receiving my newsletters or seeing my videos, because I often talk about it. I invite you to do so to change your energy, get rid of the gloom, breathe!

Last July, we moved out of the city where we’d lived for 25 years and relocated to my hometown. The intention was to be closer to my parents.

So I suggested to the choir leaders that I join them.

So far, nothing to report (although moving after 25 years in the same place does take you out of your comfort zone).

Occasionally, choir members are called upon to sing at funerals. At Mom’s funeral last May, we were delighted to have them sing what Mom certainly enjoyed hearing.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, we were preparing the songs for the funeral of a man who left his mark on the town’s development, and one of the songs was giving us a hard time. Hugo, the resident organist, suggested that it be done by a soloist instead.

I really like this song…

I don’t know how to explain it, but it was as if I felt myself being pulled forward to say “I can sing it!

I “auditioned” and to my great surprise, she was entrusted to me…

The next day, I regretted raising my hand and sent a message to say that if they preferred a male voice or someone else, it was really more than OK with me!

I was retreating into my comfort zone.

The best part was that right up until the rehearsal before the ceremony began, I offered to let someone else sing!

But I was the one who had to do it.

So I did!

And I sang well!

I was afraid of several things. Firstly, that my heart would get heavy and I’d cry as I sang the lyrics that touched me (my mother’s funeral wasn’t that long ago, and the emotion still grips me quite often)… but above all, I was afraid of revealing myself. Of revealing a more intimate part of myself. My singing voice. All alone in front of people.

With the job I do, talking about the benefits of laughter in front of hundreds of people, doing live TV, it gives me a bit of stage fright, yes, but I manage it with ease! But singing on my own? Phew!

Crazy, isn’t it? Maybe, but that’s how I felt.

Once the song was finished, I couldn’t tell you how I felt! A mixture of pride, strength, humility and the feeling of great possibility!

Have you noticed how much we like it when everything runs smoothly, when life seems tidy, familiar and predictable?
And yet… that’s rarely where the magic happens.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is a bit like diving into cold water. At first, your whole body screams no! You want to pull back, go back to what you know. But if you stay a while, you discover something else: a shiver of vitality, a spark, a new energy.

Discomfort is often a sign that you’re learning, growing, opening yourself up to new possibilities. Yes, it takes courage. Yes, it can sometimes be a bit of a rollercoaster ride. But it’s also when you discover unsuspected strengths, facets of yourself you’d never met before.

What if, today, you took a small step out of your comfort zone? Not a dizzying leap, just one step – enough to feel that slight inner tremor that says, “Oh, I’m alive!”

Your mission, if you accept it 😉: do something today that takes you (a little!) out of your comfort zone. And observe what it awakens in you.

With all my affection (and admiration for your courage!)

Laughter, joy and health

Linda