Issue 011: How Do You Prepare for a New Experience?
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“The biggest rewards in life are found outside your comfort zone.”
– Jack Canfield
For the past several months, like many, I’ve watched live-streamed Sunday Services. Adding a bit of spice to my at-home time, I decided to explore different faith options in other states. When I travel, I love absorbing new cultures and experiences. Why not gain new experiences from my living room. With technology, there would be a plethora of options and opportunities. (Psst. You might be wondering what church has to do with prepping--keep reading for the bigger vision.)
This idea became what I call the Online Church Crawl, spinning off the art gallery crawls. If you haven’t attended a Gallery Crawl, put it on your list because they are so much fun.
As humans, we tend to stay in our comfort zone. The Church Crawl would be a risk-free opportunity to easily step outside of my routine.
With a quick Google search, I found a website that contained a database of Services with times. Saving the site, each Sunday I selected a different city with the idea that as much as I liked the message, messenger, music, or style, I would not repeat the same city. What would add to the experience would be coordinating my Starbucks coffee mug with the state. Through my travels, I’ve collected the Been There mugs.
As I prefer contemporary, aka lively, worship music, I knew this choice could cause me to tune out so I created three guidelines.
Keep an open mind. Be open to whatever occurs. We know this. It’s letting go of our adult perceptions and viewing it with a child’s curiosity.
Let go of expectations. Without expectations, we have a clean slate. It gives us the freedom to be present, to observe, and to enjoy the moment.
What is one takeaway? From the experience, what is one takeaway we can get? Focusing on this question propels us into a positive mindset. With the question in mind, we’re in a “what can I gain” mindset.
During this virtual quest, I heard messages from Annapolis, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Detroit, Greensboro, Montreal, Nashville, and the list goes on.
What I found most heartwarming was how each congregation improvised, supported its community with outreach, and regardless of faith, the overall goal—to help one another. How can I be a helping hand?
What if everyone entered each new situation by intentionally adopting these guidelines?
As I prep for a new experience or meet someone for the first time, I’ll be more intentional about these fundamentals. How about you?
How much of your day is spent in your comfort zone?
What area of your life could letting go of expectations create a better path?
What new experience did you give yourself during the past 12 weeks?
Until next time, have a Bounce-Up™ day!
Mj
P.S. July 1st kicks off our Bounce-Up 30-Day Challenge that is all about you and you can win prizes. Join us at https://www.facebook.com/BounceUpCommunity/.
