Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

 

November 11, 2024 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Jill and I representing Jill's Kitchen at an event. Dear Empowered Reader, As I send this out on Veterans Day, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the individuals who have served. Thank you for your sacrifice and for stepping into the unknown to serve others. When was the last time you took a step into the unknown? I’ve had many moments of stepping into uncharted territory—one of the most memorable being the launch of Empower Possible. It was exciting to build something new but also intimidating to face the unknown. That blend of excitement and uncertainty is something I’m sure many of us have felt at pivotal moments in our lives. A few years ago my younger sister Jill experienced a similar feeling on our annual family trip to Breezy Point Resort. As we sat by the lake talking about her life and passions, she opened up about an opportunity to share her baking talents at a local vendor fair. Jill has always baked for her family with love and joy, but turning that passion into something public felt like a big leap. She was concerned about balancing this new endeavor with her other responsibilities as a mother, coach, trainer, sister, aunt, friend, wife, etc,  wondering if the benefits would outweigh the challenges. With some encouragement from me and her friends, Jill decided to go for it. She stepped out of her comfort zone to sell at events like the Bling Bling fundraiser for the Fine Arts Club and the Holiday Collections Craft Fair in Fargo, ND. Shifting from baking as a hobby to asking people to pay for her creations was daunting. It’s one thing to bring treats to family gatherings—it’s another to offer them to the world, with all the uncertainty that comes along with it. The experience taught her so much more than she expected. Jill found herself growing in confidence with each event. She learned to manage her time between family and her new venture, becoming more organized and creative in the process. With every fair, her sense of purpose grew stronger, and she realized she wasn’t just selling cookies and bread—she was sharing her passion and love for baking with others. Each interaction at the fairs helped her see the impact of her work, and the joy on her customers' faces reminded her of why she started this journey.  As she navigated this new venture, Jill found an invaluable source of strength in her "village"—her family and friends who stood by her side. Her kids pitched in by packaging treats and even helped bake some items. Her husband brainstormed ideas for new flavors, and her friends spread the word about her baked goods. Jill quickly realized that stepping out didn’t mean stepping alone. Her village not only supported her but helped her believe in her ability to succeed. It has been a great joy for me to table with Jill at these events, interact with the customers, and watch their reactions when trying her delicious baked goods. Reflecting on Jill’s journey reminded me of how vital community is, especially when we’re taking big steps in our careers or personal lives. Too often, we feel that we need to handle everything ourselves, but Jill’s journey shows that success is even richer when it’s shared with those who lift us up. Her experience is a beautiful example of the balance between independence and interdependence, a reminder that we’re often stronger when we lean on others for support. I am looking forward to seeing her in action again this month, selling her baked goods at the Holiday Collection Craft Fair on November 23rd in West Fargo, ND. If you are in the area stop by any time from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.  Reflection Questions for Your Journey: 1. What’s one area of your life where you could challenge yourself to go beyond your comfort zone?    2. Who are the people in your “village” you can lean on for support during times of change or growth?    3. How can you support others in their journeys, encouraging them to take new steps? As you reflect on these questions, remember that you’re capable of more than you know. Here’s to your next bold step and the power of the village that helps you thrive. Take care, Empowered Reader, Julie  Founder of Empower Possible Setting up for the event. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. To be of use By Marge Piercy The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight. They seem to become natives of that element, the black sleek heads of seals bouncing like half-submerged balls. I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart, who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience, who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward, who do what has to be done, again and again. I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row and pass the bags along, who are not parlor generals and field deserters but move in a common rhythm when the food must come in or the fire be put out. The work of the world is common as mud. Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust. But the thing worth doing well done has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident. Greek amphoras for wine or oil, Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums but you know they were made to be used. The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real. Source: Circles on the Water: Selected Poems of Marge Piercy (Alfred A. Knopf, 1982)

Kind Words from a Mountain 10 Participant A special thanks to one of my students for sharing a few kind words about her experience. Upcoming Events Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Holiday Collections Craft Fair 2711 7th St E, West Fargo, ND, United States, North Dakota 58078Saturday, November 23rd from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm70+ local & regional artisans will have their crafts displayed for all your holiday shopping needs!

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © Empower Possible Northfield, MN, USA EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.