If you have been following my writings lately, you are aware that I am training for a half marathon later this spring. During the middle part of the week, if I am planning on running, I go to the gym instead of running in the dark outside. Most of my weekend runs have been out on the greenway.
Inside the gym, I know that it will be consistently the same temperature. When I am going around the track, it will always look the same. Sure, maybe there are different people each night walking or running with me, but it is a pretty stable environment. When I get out on the greenway, it is completely different. The weather is never the same. Sometimes it has been very cold and some days on the warmer side. I have had it snow and be a steady light rain on different occasions. I have had sunny days and warm weather.
There was one Saturday, after a couple days of steady rain, that part of the trail was under water and impassable. This can be compared to our approach to life. We can take the conservative approach and never take any chances. This allows us to have everything stay stable and secure. In some cases, this may keep our stress levels down. Now, let’s take a look at the greenway approach. Get out and take some chances. Will it always be a warm sunny day? No. This is OK, though. The different perspectives that you experience along the journey can enhance your life.
The beauty of nature is ever changing. If you move to different parts of the country, or world, you get to experience different cultures. You may decide that one area is more suitable than another. Just because your parents raised you in a big city does not mean that you cannot enjoy small town life. It may be that you grew up in a small town, like me, and now you enjoy a bigger city. If you never get out and experience something new, you will never know.
It may be a leap of faith in starting up a business of your own instead of working for someone else your whole life that gives you the experience of change. Get involved in your community. Volunteering for a charitable organization may help you realize how well off you really are. The phrase “Paying it forward” comes to mind. The big thing is to get out of your comfort zone and experience all that this world has to offer. It may come with some temporary stress, but you can take control of that as well. As I went through school, I never thought of myself as a writer. Now, I have taken that chance and published two books and write a weekly blog.
The rewards that I am experiencing by taking chances through the process could not have been obtained if I kept taking a conservative approach. I am not doing it for financial gain, but as a way to be an influence for others. I am passionate about the way to treat people and therefore lead a team. Along the way, I realized that my stress level has played a powerful effect on my personal and business life. This has been both on the good side and the bad side. If you would like to read more about this, please download my newly published book, Stress Free Living. Get out and experience life.
