I was attending an out-of-town arm wrestling tournament in support of my fiancé Paul. I had toyed with the idea of entering but being someone who has only arm wrestled a handful of times, I didn’t want to embarrass myself. I knew this was my ego talking. What was the big deal if I went to a town where no one knew me and I lost in a tournament I had never intended on entering anyway? My ego kept saying “losing is so painful that not trying is much easier.”
In life, this is so often true. We tell ourselves that we can’t lose if we don’t try. We tell ourselves that staying in our comfort zones, regardless of how much collateral pain and suffering we’re experiencing, is a far better, less painful choice than trying and failing. I have learned after trying to live this way for FAR too long that this way of living only perpetuates pain and suffering. Stepping out of our comfort zones to try new things, to tackle old habits, is one of the only ways we can grow. You don’t know what you don’t know. You also can’t win or succeed if you don’t try. You can go through life not knowing if you’ll win because you’re too afraid to try – OR – you can step out, take a deep breath, try something new, and know that if you fail at least you had the courage to take the chance and attempt the challenge. Taking steps like this over and over again WILL net you victories in your life…and more importantly build your confidence, precious confidence.
