PADDED CELL, Patient #777 - Vacate Immediately!

Most of you are familiar with padded cells. You've probably seen them in a movie scene at some point. The "insane" person who's usually not really, but has been framed by a wretched psychiatrist, is thrown into the small room, sometimes wearing a straightjacket.

Padded cells are typically 10' x 8'. All the walls are lined with cushions to prevent the patients from harming themselves. Most of you have never seen a padded cell up close. Or have you? Perhaps you're in one now and don't even realize it. You might be saying, "Moi, in a padded cell? No way. You're crazy!" Maybe. But what if I'm not?

A lot of you live in a padded cell of your own making. In your cozy, little cell, you feel safe. You're surrounded with cushions of comfort. Nothing can harm you there. You have the same friends, you do the same things. You don't try anything new because it's "scary." You dine in the same places, order the same foods. You wear the same colors, listen to the same music. You spend hours watching your favorite TV shows, at home, in front of your giant flat screen. You read the same types of books, etc. Isn't that similar to being confined, wearing a straightjacket? If you're not feeling fear, excitement, or nervousness, then you're too comfortable. You're not stretching. Only when you place yourself outside of your comfy little creation, do you really start to experience life. If the most exciting thing in your life is looking forward to the next episode of The Game of Thrones, then maybe you are in that cell. No offense to Game of Thrones viewers. By now, you might be wondering if you really are in a padded cell of your own making.

Don't despair, there's good news! No one put you in your padded cell. You put yourself in there. And if that's true, then you can come out any time you want. All you have to do is try something different. Don't worry about the butterflies you might feel. That's called Excitement. It usually masquerades as Fear. Don't give into it.

This week step out of your cell by trying something new. Here are some suggestions: Eat a different kind of food. Watch a foreign movie. Wear a color you've never worn before. Make a new friend. Try a new restaurant in a different city. Try a different type of workout. You get the picture.

It's time to vacate your cushioned little cell. Don't be afraid to step out. Be afraid not to.

Feel free to share your new experiences with me. I would to love to hear about them.