Yesterday I took some big risks...

No I didn't get a tattoo or a piercing, instead I took some huge leaps of faith in other areas. In the morning I went to a lecture/conference on the design thinking process or theory. Design thinking is a new way of creating curriculums and it was SO interesting! Did I mention the only person I "knew" there I've only exchanged emails and 1 phone call with? Did I mention it was at the Colorado league of Charter Schools, a place I've never been? Did I mention I was shaking as I walked in? Well All of those were true. I was recommended to go to this by one of my UCD professors who is also founding a new school here in Denver. As tends to happen with risk taking, I absolutely LOVED(!!) every minute! It was thought provoking and made me realize that so much of my training with Stanley is just good teaching and forward moving teaching. The best part? I got a card from a principal! Needless to say, I was on a total high. Later in the day came part two of my risk taking day. Now when I say wine downs, volunteering, mountain retreats and pearls do you think of the junior league? Well you should. As of right now, I am a provisional member of the Denver Junior League and couldn't be more excited. Like kid in a candy store with $100 excited. We had a meeting on the provisional year and expectations and general information last night and I realized how incredibly excited I am to be a part of it! These women are involved in so many creative, giving and fun activities that I literally left hoping we could start right then. Now the crazy thing about this was that I actually didn't know anyone in the room. Not a single person. It was terrifying to walk in, but I did and I had a few wonderful conversations and all I would think was wow, I get to be one of them! The overlying message here is, it's ok to take safe risks. (Safe as in, no one was harmed in my entering a room.) Risks that make your heart rush a little are ok, as long as they are in your "safe" zone. I learned from a friend in the Stanley program that there are 2 rings outside your comfort zone. The first is your safe zone, a place that will allow your comfort zone to grow and expand some and a place that makes you a better person. The second ring outside of that is your "danger" zone. This is the bad place, the "my mind shuts down and my heart seizes" kind of place. Ideally, a person grows their comfort zone by pushing the safe zone door wide open. So go ahead, try something new, jump over the edge... You never know what's waiting for you on the other side.