How To Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Lessons from my 12-year-old son

It was another hot summer’s day here in Australia. My son could not wait to get into the swimming pool at the end of his school day. I watched as he enjoyed his cooling swim. After a little while he decided to do somersault jumps into the pool.

Jump … spin … splash!

Again and again.

At one point he turned to me and said, “It still feels a little eee-awww-lubble-lubble…” As he spoke this unintelligible sound, he did a little shudder, although his smile was wide.

I thought I knew what he meant but I was intrigued to learn more of what this indescribable feeling really was. Seizing on what was no doubt a small window of question-asking opportunity, I asked “what do you mean by eee-awww-lubble-lubble?” to which I got:

My stomach feels all funny as I’m about to jump

I’m scared about messing up the landing

I wonder if I’m going to hit the steps

I remember the times I’ve already done it

I tell myself to just jump

I feel like I stop breathing when I’m in the air

Then I spin and splash and I feel all tingly on my skin

I can feel myself…