Stretch to Grow

I admit, I am a peanut in stature. Always said it was because I have a twin brother, and half of me just retired as a professor from Boston College.

But this idea of stretching is about growing my resiliency muscle. Three years ago, I made a January resolution to do at least one thing I had never done every month. 

I write down what I did and then capture it in my monthly journal.  You get the picture from taking Pilates to eating a raw oyster, from going to a huge farmer’s market to traveling along Bake Oven Road in Oregon.

But the biggest “never done” has been happening for 14 months. I study Spanish twice a week, for one hour each class, with a marvelous virtual instructor from Columbia.  Christian DeSilva has created a language school with students from around the world. Most want to learn English. I’m into Spanish.

I don’t always have the best discipline, but I am determined. 

So here is my challenge for this month:  What is at least one thing you will DO that you have never done before? It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be scary. But it needs to be an activity that you stand just a little taller when you have done it. Maybe you feel a little braver.  Perhaps a little wiser (as in I will never do THAT again)!

We discover strengths and insights when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone—even in small ways.  

I will go tandem hang-gliding in the spring with Owen Morse, a dear speaker buddy and a champion hang glider.  Note that I did not pick anyone off the street. Owen knows what he is doing. Will I be scared? Yes. Excited? Yes!  I will keep you posted.

Now, it’s your turn. What is the stretch you will make? 

Hasta pronto! Tengo que estudiar ahora mism.