Pat skiing

Good Friday Morning!

You don’t know what you can do till you try.

Sometimes we avoid new experiences because we fear the consequences. We don’t jump on opportunities because we’re not sure if they will be successful. We stay in our comfort zone, doing what we know, even if we’re not happy with how things are going. They used to say, better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. But what if the unknown would actually improve your situation, your life, and your prospects? What if while you are staying in the safe environment you are missing out on the most beautiful possibilities that would change your life?

If you don’t try new things, you won’t know what you could be missing. Last weekend our friends Pat and Burleigh went skiing for the first time – and had a great time. Let’s not say how old they are – but they have already celebrated the 21^st anniversary of their 30^th birthdays!! They could have stayed home and had plenty of fun, but they took a chance. And one of the risks of trying something new is that you may make a fool of yourself. For some of us that is enough to make us stick to what we know. But you have no idea how exhilarating it can be to do something you didn’t know you could do. I need to add that it was Pat and Burleigh that are responsible for me leaping into the unknown on a ‘zip line’ at YS Falls five years ago!

I have been writing for myself alone for years. I have two thirds of a novel written. But I have never submitted any of my writings to be published – because that might result in it being rejected. Thankfully I have found an outlet on Facebook on Friday mornings, and am getting a lot of wonderful feedback. I just had to try.

Many years ago I was taking care of a woman who was recovering very slowly from Guillain-Barre syndrome, an illness that can result in paralysis. Most people recover from this, but in some cases the recovery process is very slow and sometimes incomplete. As I was bathing her one day, I tried to think of a way to help improve her outlook. So I told her the story of the little train that could. When other trains had refused to take a trip with a load up a mountain, the little train accepted the challenge. As it started up the grade it chanted quietly: “I think I can, I think I can”. Continuing up the hill the train said louder: “I think I can, I think I can” then louder getting higher: “I think I can, I know I can” and reaching the top and going over the grade “I did it!” I don’t know how accurately I remembered the story from my childhood, but it entertained us that day. Some months later, after she had gone through intense rehabilitation, she returned to the hospital to thank us for our care during her illness. She told me that in her darkest days, her husband would retell the story I had told her, and helped to motivate her to keep going.

So whether we face a difficult challenge, or need to take a scary step in a new direction, you never know what you are capable of if you don’t try. Neale Donald Walsche (author of Conversations with God) says: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. Sometimes all we need is a push off the ski slope to get going – but first you have to get on your beautiful ski outfit and strap on some skis. Get out of your comfort zone, and go for it! This week I got inspiration from three different places: a fortune cookie, Pat and Burleigh’s ski trip, and a quote on facebook that said “Opportunities come unlabeled” – unfortunately we don’t know how things are going to turn out when we decide to try something new! JUST DO IT!!!  (sorry Nike!)

Have a great weekend Family. Promise yourself to try something you’ve been avoiding. I know you can!!!

One Love!

Bethany