Thoughts on Putting Stretch Marks on Your Comfort Zone

I have fallen in love with creating an art journal. It has me thinking in some many different directions. Maybe I wasn't ready for keeping this kind of journal until now. I could use the excuse of time but I have always believed that time is a created thing. I make time for what is important to me (or when my house is in desperate need of cleaning). It does show me once again that until we are open and ready for new experiences, it just won't happen.

When I teach, I spend a good part of my time helping people overcome their mean-spirited critical inner voice that tells them "I can't" or "I'm not creative," etc. and pushing them to move beyond their comfort zones. I jokingly call it "putting stretch marks on your comfort zone," but I am serious about how important it is as adults to do so. It took me quite a while but now I'm aware when I'm not pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. And while I don't think that my art journal is pushing much, it is allowing me time to explore, ponder, keep perspective, be curious, lighten up, release and try new things all in a safe place.  This new phase is creating lots of new ideas and I cannot wait to see what happens next! Do you think about your comfort zone and how to move outside it