#MyEarlyMorningThoughts: Outside of Our Comfort Zone Lies Our Greater Purpose!

"Beautiful things happen outside of our comfort zones....." ~Frankie~
I've recently experienced the pleasure of achievement and growth when operating outside of a familiar comfort zone. I'm a  firm believer that we grow in strength, beauty, knowledge, and open-mindedness when we are willing to brave the outer limits of familiarity. So here's the story:

   A group of diverse ladies came together to assist in an annual fund-raising student vs. staff basketball game.  Some of us signed up willingly and others by association (LOL). We believed we were going to be traditional cheerleaders, but it actually was a cheerleader/dancer hybrid position. We were introduced to a dance/cheer routine that was very intimidating by a coordinator who was most unwavering in the beginning. I think at some point we all wanted to quit or were very "concerned". Let's face it, all of us were 30 and above (one of us barely 30) and neither of us could see the vision but the visionary.
HERE ARE THE THINGS WE DID TO MAKE IT HAPPEN:

• We complained but we didn't give up or give into emotion
• We respected, compromised, and voiced concerns
• We extended ourselves to help someone else
• We became protective over someone else's goal that had no benefit to us
• We learned that overall, goals sometimes require tweaking to accomplish
• We were vulnerable in our weaknesses and it was "ok"
• We celebrated and encouraged differences
• We accepted that we were all on different levels, but never doubted that each one could help achieve this common goal.
• We laughed (sometimes until I cried) and acted silly
• We accomplished our goal with some hiccups and still left feeling accomplished!
• We supported a cause without fully understanding it's importance or it's outcome

Our diverse group of women made someone else's vision happen by laying aside what we expected and doing the unexpected! In between dance moves we enjoyed each others' company and formed what I would like to think of as an "outer limits bond" in our "Four Days of Hell to get to Heaven". We all know who to call upon when it's time to brave the outer extremities! I am very fortunate to have been pushed and be among a group of women that did not want to be the one to say "I quit". 
The new LCCA STAFF DANCE LINE! (Click to view the video)