Short & Spicy

By MGAL Expert Lynn Trotta

I was a facilitator at a hard core wildness camp for a few years and had the joy of meeting an 11 year old boy who was fully immersed  in the nature thing. In the two years that I’d known him, I don’t think I’d ever seen him in shoes or out of camouflage.  I’m sure if asked what his life long ambition was, he would say something like “ to chase down a deer, kill it with a spear, eat what I can then make cloths with the rest.” I swear he was a sweet kid.

So when I heard he had chosen ballet as an after-school activity, I was astounded and very confused.

How did this come to be?

Turns out his mother simply asked him to challenge himself and when he honestly considered it, he admitted that ballet was the most difficult and least likely activity he could think of. Now at the age of 13 he’s being recruited by performing arts high schools  in New York City and still spends the rest of his hours outside; dirty and barefoot.

What can we learn from this boy? You never know what gems you’ll uncover when you step outside your comfort zone.  Life is short so make it as spicy as you can.

How can you do this? I’m glad you asked! Start by making a list of 10 things that would totally push your edges and commit to doing at least 2 of them by labor day.

Get honest with yourself. What is something that would make you a bit nervous and uncomfortable? I’m not asking you to get a job at a strip club or sell all your possessions and move to Mongolia. Start by making it simple and achievable. If you feel icky about nature, take a bird watching workshop or tend an herb garden. If you’re in an office all day try a welding class.  Heck, maybe just introducing yourself to a stranger is enough to get your heart pounding. Only you know what would challenge you.

Once you’ve done your two edge-pushing experiences, please share your story with the rest of the Mom Gal community.  It will help spark ideas and inspire others to take a chance.

Go get uncomfortable!