Risk

Comfort is a good thing.


Obviously it is good because modern society has a longer lifespan, and there are plenty of good things that have come from our comfort. However, when we choose to let comfort be the most important factor in our lives, we lose the opportunity to find something great within ourselves or in the world around us.

"The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness" ~Pope Benedict XVI

For the past few months I have been taking more advanced yoga classes. At first, I would take the instructor's suggestion to take it easy very seriously. In an effort to look good, I did not try any of the advanced postures, and I would drop to my knees when we did our pushups.

I was comfortable.

But I got very little out of the classes.



When we let ourselves hide from the possibility of messing up, looking dumb, or changing what we want, we get very little out of our lives. Comfort, while wonderful, gives us nothing. It is just a routine, meant to keep us in check day in and day out.

You have to get out of that routine in order to improve.



Finally I decided to attempt a pose. It was the first time I was trying it, and I was a little anxious. Not only was it a strength pose, I was also in front of the class. The girl that made it look ok to sit it out was now trying something new, and she could probably fall flat on her face if she messed up. Still I chose to take the risk and do the pose.

I took in a deep breath and said to myself, "Felicity you're strong. You can do this."

I am strong.

I could do it.

And I did it.


After that class, I started to take more and more opportunities to improve. Sometimes I fell, but instead of being angry with myself, I smiled and dropped back for a bit. Failure did not phase me like it did before. In fact, I found myself taking more and more risks in class, just to see how strong I really was.

Yes I fell

But I finally started to get something out of yoga class.

I finally could sweat in class.


Now I am not saying that you should just jump at every risk presented to you. After all, there are many risky actions that could quite literally kill you. A healthy risk is one that allows you to improve as a person. It shows you how strong you can be, how generous your heart is, how much you have learned, or something else that shows you that you are capable of far more than you knew.

Healthy risks remove the numbing comfort that fills our lives.



I am living on my own now, and I can say that there are many risks that I could take. For the first time, I have complete control over my cash, my career path, and my social circle with very little input from those around me. There are so many ways that I could screw up my life. This could be from comfort or by risk.

About two months ago, I started to take ownership of that.



My life has become more and more beautiful because of the many little healthy risks I take every day. Instead of simply being comfortable in my little basement lab and my repetitive conversations, I started to go outside of my routine. Just like the advanced postures in yoga that taught me I could be strong, my daily risks remind me that I am an important member of society with a heart meant to love all around me.


I tried experiments that I had never seen before, and I became more confident in the lab.

I got closer to people I never would have before, and I have found more joy in my heart.

I ate food that I normally would be afraid of, and I was finally satisfied.

I admitted my defeat publicly, and I found a community I thought I lost.



These little things have allowed me to find myself much quicker than I expected. I was completely myself in every aspect of life, even if it was a little uncomfortable. Because I knew that I would get nothing out of comfort, I let myself be a part of the world that God made just for me. Sure I was an awkward turtle, but I was a happy awkward turtle. 

I even DDed for the first time at my first real party.

Fun fact: I actually had a good time



Do not let the awkwardness of life stop you from taking the risks necessary for your ultimate success. Do not let someone or something hold you back from something that makes you truly happy.  If it is a good thing, then the risk of messing up or being awkward is totally worth it.

You are capable of being happy.

All you have to do is stop being comfortable.


There is a world of adventures out there, with amazing people that want to be on those adventures with you.

Why not?