I thought it was a joke! At pre-field orientation before my first year in China, they told us not to be surprised if our host school assigned us to teach classes that were outside of our skill set. Sure enough, we were in the car to the hotel shortly after landing in Beijing when my English department dean told me I was going to teach advanced writing to English majors.
Now you have to understand, I have a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders. I could teach anything having to do with speaking and listening, even phonics and pronunciation –
But WRITING? Talk about S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G! Little did I know I would be teaching the richest class I could imagine, learning about China and my students, things they would never talk about but would write about, and writing a composition text book that would be used in universities all over China. Total joy!
To be honest, writing this blog is a S-T-R-E-T-C-H. I am still much more comfortable speaking than writing. But I also know the benefits of S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G myself out of my comfort zone. In nature, the sprout has to S-T-R-E-T-C-H its way through the soil to emerge and face the much-needed sun. The butterfly has to S-T-R-E-T-C-H its way through the cocoon to be able to spread its wings. We humans must do our own physical S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G to keep us limber and agile, ready to meet what the day brings.
You know this, right? But when we meet those challenges life brings, we often need to be reminded that these times of S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G are good, and they result in opportunities we can’t imagine.
Check out these S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G exercises below and how they expand your perspective and create positive change:
S-T-R-E-T-C-H: Sharing with a new friend a struggle you are having
Opportunity: Gain insight from a different perspective and deepening of a friendship.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H: Job change or layoff
Opportunity: Evaluating what is really important and maybe new dreams, new job challenges and growth.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H: Conflict with spouse
Opportunity: Vulnerability, deepening of relationship and learning to communicate more effectively.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H: Feeling stuck in a rut in life
Opportunity: Go deeper within you to discover purpose, hopes and dreams that open new doors into the future.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H: Reaching out to a friend, a support system, or even a professional after the loss of a spouse or child
Opportunity: Find out you are not alone, find a place of safety, compassion and hope.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H: Going through something S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G and asking for help
Opportunity: Finding a safe place and a safe person to work things through.
It’s Your choice. You can S-T-R-E-T-C-H or not.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G is often scary and hard, but the payoff is great. Face it with boldness, and keep your eye on the end result. Ask for help if you need it. New insight, perspective, focus, deeper relationships, new skills, wisdom, self-knowledge, confidence, new dreams, and hope all await you on the other side of the fear and hesitation.
Decide today that it’s time that you step out of your comfort zone, and into the land of opportunity that is available when you S-T-R-E-T-C-H!
-Becky