Mindy Obenhaus: Wonderful Things Happen Outside One's Comfort Zone

Everyone's Story welcomes author Mindy Obenhaus. Perhaps Mindy is an expert at poking more than a toe out of her comfort zone--she dared to believe in her dream of writing and publishing and with God's grace, certainly has succeeded. Congratulations, Mindy! This week Mindy shares with us her journey outside this boundary. She also is offering her current release as a Giveaway. Please take a spin down Mindy's tracks and see if you can relate. Both Mindy and I look forward to hearing from you.

BookGiveaway:

Mindy is offering 1 copy of RESCUING THE TEXAN'S HEART

within the US only. The winner will be announced here on Friday, October 24th, between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!

Bye, Bye Comfort Zone By Mindy Obenhaus

We all have our comfort zones, parameters we establish in our lives that make us feel safe. And, let’s face it, we love them. Why? Because they’re so…comfortable. I have a nice, comfy recliner and, if I had my choice, I would stay there all day, every day. However, I find that if I sit there for too long, I get stiff and the backs of my thighs start to ache. So, eventually, I get up and walk around and my legs start to feel better.

Our little dog, Maddie, loves to play ball. But if that ball should come to rest too close to the pool, she will not retrieve it because the pool out of her comfort zone. We refuse to pick it up for her, though, and because her desire to play ball is so great, eventually she steps out of her zone and retrieves the ball so the game can go on.

Sometimes we choose to leave our comfort zones. Like when I chose to go ice climbing as part of my research for my September 2014 release, Rescuing the Texan’s Heart. Ice climbing is not something I would normally do. But in the name of research…

Our family visits Ouray, Colorado as often as we can. When we do, we have to do some exploring. After all, Ouray is the Jeeping capital of the world. Normally, I drive, but only until we reach the one-vehicle-width mine roads with the sheer drop-off on one side. Then I typically turn things over to my husband. This year, I kept going. Out of my comfort zone? Yes! But it was also empowering. I did it. I actually did it.

Unfortunately, there are times when we’re forced out of our comfort zones. A wild fire at our ranch in 2011 took our family way out of our comfort zone. Health issues are another zone wrecker. Injury and illness are never planned. And they often set us on a course to someplace we don’t want to go. Luckily, as Christians, we never have to face things alone. God is always with us. He walks with us, and, sometimes, carries us. I can’t think of a better traveling companion.

Over the years I’ve learned that there is a wonderful thing that happens when we leave our comfort zone, whether by choice or by force. Stepping into those new realms stretches and grows us as a person. We come out stronger, if not better for the experience.

How attached are you to your comfort zone? How do you proceed when those unexpected things arise that force you out of your zone?

Mindy's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Author Mindy Obenhaus asks how attached are you to your comfort zone? (Tweet This)

Readers: Like #LoveInspired romances? Win @MindyObenhaus #BookGiveaway of RESCUING THE TEXAN’S HEART (Tweet This)

Writers: @MindyObenhaus asks will you go beyond comfort zone for research? (Tweet This)

Author's Bio: 

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and two of her five children. Her debut novel, The Doctor’s Family Reunion, was a finalist in ACFW’s 2014 Carol Awards and her second book, Rescuing the Texan’s Heart, is a September 2014 release. When she’s not writing, Mindy enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her grandkids. You can connect with her via her website, www.mindyobenhaus.com or Facebook, www.facebook.com/authorMindyObenhaus