08 April 2011

F is for Familiarity

We all have our places we like to be, people we like to talk to and genres we like to read or write. The familiarity of our usual haunts makes us feel warm inside, safe and secure. But sometimes we need to step out into unfamiliar ground to move on in life.
Each great event in my life has started with trembling feet upon strange lands. From the literal first step on U.S. soil at the start of my first overseas holiday to my decision to become a minister and all the events in between.
Without this willingness to stray from the familiar I would have never got married to my wonderful wife, never had my two wonderful children. I would have never met many a wonderful tourist in my backpacker business and have never got to writing this blog - a direct result of stepping out and publishing my book.
And of course I would have never had such a memorable holiday at Universal Studios and Disney World. Looking back at my life so far, I realise that it is true that every success in my life was due to me braving the unknown and going for it. And the majority of failures were when I stayed in my rut and comfortable familiar surroundings.
Something to think about.
Peter

5 comments:

  1. You're so right. Familiar is easy, it's when we step out to the unknown that we find out more about ourselves.

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  2. Very true. Your post inspires me to try something new and different.

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  3. Peter, thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment about your wife and other nurses. It cheered me, even after so long a time.
    Signing up to follow.

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  4. Well said! I agree - I would've never written a book - let alone three had I not stepped outside my comfort zone.

    New follower from A-Z. Nice to meet you!

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  5. I totally agree. Sandra Cisneros said in the introduction to her anniversary novel, The House on Mango Street, she did things that scared her. Her words simple, yet profound, became my mantra.

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