#106: Reaching Out Beyond Our Comfort Zones

I had a pleasant experience tonight. I was at dinner with a friend when we saw a group that eventually totaled 24 people gather in an adjacent section of the restaurant. We wondered whether they were celebrating someone's birthday or were maybe an investment group.

As the coordinator passed our table, I asked about their meeting. Turns out that they are all involved in cat rescue and in neutering and spaying of feral cats and getting them their shots.

As an owner of three stray cats, now all indoor animals, I had to offer to help them with fundraising, publicity, professional writing or project management. Their coordinator seemed thrilled at the offer and I sensed I would soon make a number of new friends dedicated to saving the lives of our feline friends. It appeared to be a perfect match.

The funny thing is that I often must force myself to be outgoing, frequently finding that stepping out of my comfort zone makes me a tad uneasy. But, as I learned tonight, when opportunity knocks, we must be prepared to answer the door and open it wide in order to enhance the quality of our lives.

Where this chance encounter will lead, I do not yet know. I do know, though, that after I introduced myself, I felt much better about myself.

Have you enjoyed such a random meeting that later provided you with pleasure, challenge and new friends? If so, will you please share the details?

The lesson learned tonight is that by reaching outside of our normal comfort zones more often, perhaps our lives will be more greatly enriched. And that can't be a bad thing, can it?