The Comfort Zone.

The beginning of my week began with this quote, and it has been something I have been pondering the past few days. If you were to look back and think about the times that glow, those inevitable times you felt the most alive, the most present, what would they be? Lately, I have been putting myself in more situations that are outside of my comfort zone. I am a primarily a very routine animal, as I believe many of us are. I stick to the routine, to the comfortable and cozy, to the things that make me feel in control and safe. However, it is the times when I feel the most uncomfortable, the most stretched, and the most out of control where the true magic happens (and I am not saying that I ever or anyone should put themselves in the face of true danger, to be clear). I practice a lot of yoga, and I believe that the practice of yoga can teach us about life off the mat as well. Each time I practice, I attempt to go further than the last time I was in class. I have been trying more headstands, flying pigeons and arm balances that make me feel quite uncomfortable, and in those moments I breathe and welcome the beads of sweat and pain knowing that my body will thank me later. 

The transfer has become quite evident over the last few weeks. My routine at my current job has me feeling mundane, monotonous and craving for more. It has me pondering, what is my purpose? What do I want my contribution to be? What impression do I want to leave on those around me in my work? These are some pretty big questions, and it's not that I have just started asking them, but rather am beginning to act on them more and more. 

I start "The Power of Brand Management" class at UCLA next week, am continuing to choreograph with LA Unbound this time with a counterpart and am beginning to research a Yoga certification, along with exploring new job opportunities. All of which I hope to be extremely uncomfortable, and outside of my routine knowing that my soul will thank me later.

My generation has the blessing and the curse of options. Travel, alternative lifestyles, various job opportunities, ability to live multiple different places, along with many others. Options overwhelm me. I want it all! And we live in a time where, we might, just MIGHT be able to have it all. Oh, the illusion that having it all exists! 

In the midst of the swirl, the options, and social media where we can compare ourselves to everyone else and what they are doing compared to what we are doing and what more we could or should be doing, it is difficult to remain grounded in who we are (and most of the time we are still finding out!) and to be content. It is a struggle for me, anyways. I am finding that there is a delicate balance, between the comfort of who I am today, and the person and life I strive to create outside "the comfort zone", where the illuminating feeling of alive-ness is ever present. 

Live well, 
H

Peace.

my best friend gave me this wall hanging several years ago. i believe that when i received it, i am sure that i read it, but i don't think it held the meaning for me that it does until now. about a year and a half ago, my life got flipped upside down. with the end of a significant relationship, having to move to a new apartment, and realizing i was terribly unhappy at my job, i made three of the most stressful changes, all at the same time. 

what a gift! my life has been blessed with good family. friends, a wonderful education, and abundant opportunities. i really cannot complain; i've had it pretty good. according to a good friend of mine and her extensive research on stress and its affect on the body, it seems as though those who have not experienced great trial in their life, tend to react with higher amounts of stress and anxiety when faced with some of life's difficult challenges. i believe that i may fall into this category. i say this was a gift, in that i have never felt more awake and alive with life. i quite literally, have broke open. i got a life coach, started meditating, started attending more yoga classes, started choreographing for my dance company, spent long nights staring out into the ocean and starting to listen to the deep, deep longings of my heart and soul. 

in a world faster than any of us can keep up, i am realizing that impressions we make on those around us are merely flashes of light before they fade and the next flash catches their eye. our time on this earth is brief, and it forces me to ask the question, what do i want to do with this one beautiful life? what will be my contribution? its a pretty big question to tackle. i have learned that we can only control ourselves, our actions, reactions, and our perspective on any given situation. the rest is up to the universe. if we are quiet within our souls, amidst the noise, trouble and hard work, and we treat each person we meet along our journey as a true teacher, it is my understanding that our unique truth will never be with held from us. true peace lies within stillness of self. 

live well, 

h