Blossoming

“Have you blossomed? Are you still blossoming? Or are you blossomed out?”

These are the questions a friend asked me while we were enjoying lunch on my deck. Hmm… I thought for a few seconds. I hadn’t been asked this question.

And then I knew the answer. 

“As long as I’m choosing courage over comfort, I’m still blossoming.”

This phrase, “courage over comfort” comes from Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston and best-selling author. These three words have provided the nudge I’ve needed to initiate difficult conversations, challenge status quo, say yes to something outside my comfort zone, and to keep blossoming in retirement. In fact, when you practice courage over comfort, retirement is fertile ground for blossoming.

Heidi Zak, Cofounder of Third Love, warns us that, “The status quo will always be here, so have the strong conversation with yourself and take the leap. It’s hard, but these decisions are the ones that really change the direction of your life.” Courage over comfort.

According to Brown, “Courage is contagious. Every time we choose courage we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.” If the contagion factor is true, then my friend went home with a little more courage to create the life she wants in retirement. 

Copyright 2018. Patrice Jenkins. All Rights Reserved.