Death & Tragedy

On a week I should be writing about my inspiring trip to Africa, I find myself in deep thought about the tragic injuries and deaths that transpired at the finish line at the Boston Marathon.  No words can express how much this affects me.  As one who has crossed finish lines many times, I can’t imagine what trauma must be going through the heads of the runners and bystanders.  My deepest sympathies go out to those who lost someone or know someone who was lost or injured.
Facebook & Twitter & YouTube and Linkedin have been plastered with pictures and comments of this tragedy and many others.  It’s hard not to become desensitized by all the media coming at you.  I almost have this feeling that this should not happen this way.  So I want to explain why I think this that putting tragedy and death all over Facebook and the other social media is just crazy wrong.
Last night while on Facebook a newsfeed came through that shocked me and put me to tears.  I found out through Facebook that my friend, my pastor who performed my marriage ceremony, dedicated all 4 of my children passed away.  Friends this is no way to find out someone close to you died.  What in the world is anybody thinking posting this.  Immediately I made calls to those who were close and after I was sure that everyone knew I posted my tribute on Facebook.
So I find myself raw and uneasy about what is posted on the social platforms.  I find it a bit impersonal to say the least.  I myself apologize if I have ever posted something inappropriate.  I find myself back in tragedy mode that is still lingering from the Newtown tragedy.  When will all this nonsense stop and lives stop being torn apart?  Not sure, but maybe a first step is to stop reporting it.  Is it really newsworthy?  Today, I have posted for the picture of my blog, my running sneakers as a statement that I will still run!  Hopefully all my friends that do marathons will still run too.

Are You Out Of Your Comfort Zone!

I'm going to Africa!  This is way out of my Comfort Zone!  So I thought I would share
this poem I found to encourage you!

My Comfort Zone – A Poem
Author Unknown
I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

~

Hope you enjoyed this poem.  When have you stepped out of your comfort zone?
Make sure you tune in next week to a great post by a guest blogger on steps you can
take to overcome obstacles to see opportunities.   Drop me line below and let me know
some steps you take to step out of your comfort zone.