IT’S TIME TO GET UNCOMFORTABLE!

Karma is…Not a Bitch!

Well, that statement is not entirely true. Sometimes, she will look me square in my eyes when I’m calling and begging her to come to me, and she will just plop her sassy butt on the ground and ignore me. That’s when she’s a bitch. And she’s a female dog, so I guess technically she is a bitch.

You are probably confused, so let me explain. Meet Karma! She is my blue pit-mix my husband and I rescued from the animal shelter. She is still all puppy and has a horrible dog trainer, ME! But that’s not what this article is about.

I took a few pictures of Karma and me last night. She was calm and snuggling with me, so I wanted to capture this rare moment. I don’t normally take selfies, but there is usually an animal in the picture with me when I do. (Did you read that last sentence in the voice of the most interesting man in the world too, or was that just me?)

I took several pictures before reviewing them on my phone. I wanted the images to be great, but I was sadly disappointed. Not because they were off-center or because I captured the bright pink pillow in the background, but because of how I looked.

I immediately started picking out everything I didn’t like about myself in the photos and decided not to post it. I put my phone away and forgot about them until I was flipping through my phone this morning. I thought to myself; those could have been great photos if I wasn’t in them.

As I zoomed in to be critical of myself some more and make sure I didn't miss any flaws, I saw how Karma was looking at me. She wasn’t trying to get a closer look so she could count my wrinkles. She didn’t care that my hair was messy, and my glitter strands (aka gray hair) were sparkling like a disco ball. My complexion did not bother her either. She was looking at me as if I was perfect. Her tail was wagging, and she even stole a few kisses. None of the other stuff mattered to her.

It was at that moment I realized and understood love sees no flaws. Barnacles could have been growing from my ears, and she wouldn’t love me any less. So why am I so hard on myself? Why do I have to analyze every photo of me before anyone else can see it?

Even as I started writing this article, I was planning on using the silver-tone filter to mitigate the imperfections. Why was I so worried somebody might look at the picture and say, “She has aged. She looks nothing like she did ten years ago.” No shit! Of course, I don’t look the same as I did ten years ago because I HAVE aged. Ten years to be exact.

Most of the time, I am not concerned with what someone else thinks of me. I try to be the best human being I can possibly be, and that’s all I can control. But when it comes to pictures of me, I have always been very self-conscious. Writing this article and sharing the unfiltered photos makes me extremely uncomfortable, almost to the point of vomiting.

So why am I doing it? Because you can not grow from a place of comfort. Comfort usually means something familiar. Something familiar usually means very little or no changes. You can't expect different results if you are unwilling to change. And change means getting uncomfortable.

So, this is me stepping way outside of my comfort zone, but personal growth is not my only motive. I want to help others who are trapped in their comfort bubble. I want to show them that change is good and it's safe. If something as simple as posting a colored photo without filters seems silly to you, congratulations! Enjoy the freedom that brings, and don’t take it for granted.

If you feel stuck or need a change in your life, step outside of your comfort zone. It doesn’t have to be a huge leap. Remember, one degree can mean the difference between water and ice.

Your ego is the part of you that is resistant to change. It will make you think you will die if you take a chance on something outside of your comfort zone, but don't listen to your ego. It does not control you.

If you've made it this far, this is your sign that it is time for you to get uncomfortable. Apply to a new job, take those sexy photos for your spouse, buy that crazy outfit, but most importantly, be you and have fun doing it.

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