The plane truth about change

When I find something that I like, I tend to hang onto it.

You know, like the doorhandle when my sixteen year old drives. Or that one Valentine's Day card my husband purchased for me in 2000.

Let's face it. I'm not a huge risk taker. I am not a speed demon. I don't bungee jump.
I haven't wrestled an alligator. I don't even like taking 11 items into the Express Lane.

There was this one time, though...when I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and held desperately onto my seven year old daughter's shoulders as we slid down a snowy hill.

Well, halfway down. The incline wasn't that steep, now that I think about it.

I tend to play it safe. And I know what I like. My favorite ice cream? Vanilla. My favorite purse choice? Your basic black.

Don't get me wrong though. I'll try new things.

Just not 'risky' new things.

There was one time in my life when I did do something totally out of my comfort zone. And it changed me forever.

My Dad was working on his pilot's license and offered to take me up in an airplane.

Now there are two things you need to know: One-I'm really afraid of heights. Two-my Dad believes that a couple of tiny bicycle-like seats and a small sheet of plexiglas surrounded by a layer of what appears to be red tinfoil is 'an airplane'.

To this day I do not know what possessed me to 'get in'. But I did. I remember finally getting enough courage to look out the window and down. The cars on the road were like Matchbox cars! Meanwhile, my stomach was trying to exit my body through my left elbow. In fact, I had just enough wits about me to scribble my "Last Will and Testament" on a gum wrapper from my pocket when we landed back on the ground.

Relief doesn't even begin to describe how I felt. However, I cannot even look at a Matchbox car!

Recently, I've been dealing with a couple of different changes in my life. It hasn't been easy for me. I am a creature of comfort. I actually don't mind a bit of a rut. Predictability is okay with me.

But once again, I've made the decision to step out of a comfort zone and try something different.

Am I frightened? Yeah, I am. Not 'is that huge growling Marmaduke of a dog on his leash or not?' frightened...but I'm nervous. And I think my stomach is aiming for my right elbow this time around.

However, once in a while, you need to get out of that comfortable rut and do something daring! My friends, we can't really understand what our potential is until we stretch a little and stick our neck out.

So try something different today. Don't drive that same boring route to work. Wear your hair down instead of up. Ask that cheerleader on a date. Get some whipped cream in your Starbucks. Say hello to that neighbor you've never met. Let your daughter give you that makeover. Buy some mint chocolate chip ice cream! And get that new purse. I hear taupe is the new plaid...