Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Life is Too Short

by Rochelle Griffin

Take a chance. Live life to the fullest. Be adventurous.

We’ve all heard these statements, but this week I’ve been reminiscing about a trip that I took a year ago…a time I  took them completely to heart. I was in Tahiti on a trip of a lifetime, and I truly can’t believe how I put myself out there.

Before I get into just HOW I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, I first must tell you a bit of my past. I grew up as a very timid girl. I can’t explain to you just why…perhaps environment. I had so many phobias that they actually became (and still are) a running joke between my hubby and myself. Should I even admit to you that there was a time that I was afraid to turn left when driving if it wasn’t at a stoplight? (Anyone remember “I can’t get left” from the movie European Vacation? Ha!) Or that driving in the rain was enough to make me break down? Swear. I’ve since overcome these fears, but what was it in my past that made me fearful? When did I lose the adventurous spirit that children have?

My self-discovery over the past few years has unleashed the inner adventurer in me with a fury. I actually PUSH myself into situations now…wanting to prove something to myself. So, back to a recap of this amazing week abroad. I had so many “firsts” that I’m sitting here shaking my head in disbelief. A few still stand out for me:

Day 2: We spend the day on a boat and head out to where sharks and stingrays are. I get in the water and touch the rays. This was HUGE for me because on my honeymoon, 20 years ago, we swam with stingrays. Well, actually my hubby swam with stingrays…I CLUNG to him instead. Pretty sure he lost some skin that day. I was petrified of the docile creatures.

Day 4: We went to a private island and had Polynesian Olympics…most of the time in the rain…drenched. It was AWESOME!!!! I threw spears at a coconut (and actually hit it!), milked a coconut, native danced, raced in an outrigger, and lots of other games. I felt like a kid again and didn’t care how I looked. Wow. First.

Day 5: I went on an aquasafari. This is called “snuba” in the USA. Basically we were taken on a boat to an area about 10 feet deep. Then they put this helmet-thing on you that allows you to breath, and a diver takes you under the water to the bottom. The helmet weight keeps you under water. I was able to hand feed fish AND I touched a sea anemone (which DID have a Nemo fish in it!).

This day was a big deal because I’m claustrophobic. I had to take some deep breaths when the helmet was first put on…my heart was pounding pretty fast…I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to do it. Then, I felt myself get pulled under. For a split second, I thought I’d die…then, low and behold, I could breath! Not only could I breath, beautiful fish were coming directly up to me. I was able to stay under for the whole 30 minutes. First. Not gonna lie…I WAS relieved when it was time to come to the surface. 😉

Day 6: Another big day for me. I went parasailing. As the instructor strapped me in, she told me that the ride purchased was for 350 feet in the air, but she was going to give us 1000 feet just because…WHAT?!?!?!…then she let us go! For a minute, it was scary. Trust is something that I always have to work on. Ummmm…yea, being strapped to a parasail involves the ultimate trust. Well, after my hands stopped the death grip on the straps and I took a look around at the scenery, I was breathless. It was one of the most beautiful sights EVER. When I say that there were at least 6 different shades of blue water, I’m not kidding. It was as though a great painter had been there. First.

So…what lesson can be learned from all of this? Am I trying to say “Hey, look at me and everything that I got to do while I was gone?” Nope, not at all. I’m trying to say to you that you can’t let life slip by because you are afraid. Life is too short, too precious. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s not. Don’t make the same mistake as I did. After all, who knows WHAT I missed out on all those times because I turned right instead of left. Turn left and see where it leads.

To Living Your Best Life,

Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P

Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.

She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.

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