Wednesday, December 7, 2011

My Discomfort Zone






image from crossfitfenrir.com







Last Tuesday Clint returned from running some errands and handed me a business card and said he wanted me "to call this man".  He wanted me to spend time with this man.  He said the man was personable and professional.  Last Tuesday was the day I was the sickest and didn't call the man that day. The next day Clint reminded me I had not called the man to set up our meeting.  The following day I called the number on the card and the man's wife answered. She set up the meeting with her husband, told me the cost and the meeting took place yesterday.  The meeting took place in an empty and quiet conference room and lasted about four hours. The night before this meeting I had some insomnia and anxiety about what was to take place.







"Packed" and ready to go yesterday
(recycling my B&BW bag :-)  )






Continuing to embrace the idea ... at least mentally yesterday morning







(Taking deep breaths ... as the clock ticks down to the appointed hour of the meeting ... 1 o' clock )







Not bad for my second time ever doing this ...























(It is hard to describe the emotions after I walked out of there yesterday.  I was very tired after this intense course and shooting on the range but also had some europhic feelings that I had accomplished something that I had considered almost impossible for me.  I have never liked guns and have always been very scared of guns.  I would never entertain the thought of harming any kind of animal.  I have had some very bad experiences before involving  life and death situations.  It is my prayer I would never have to consider using what I learned yesterday.)







13 comments:

Clint said...

Ya done good, Cindy! You are now at "home on the range". Ha.

Seriously---leaving your comfort zone has once
again expanded your knowledge, confidence, and SAFETY. Congrats on a terrific achievement.

Guess I'll have to start bein' nice to you. Sigh.

Cindy Ellison said...

Clint ~ An added benefit, you WILL have to be nice to me now! So now I know why afterwards I was having those europhic feelings! ☺

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Cindy...(message for you on Clint's blog)
Carol B.

Cindy Ellison said...

Carol ~ Thank you for the message! I went over to Clint's blog and read your post. How interesting, I am impressed. As I mentioned over there, I would love to see your picture in your Annie Oakely attire :-) Thank you very much, Carol! Hope your day is a good one! ♥

Shady Del Knight said...

Gosh, Cindy, I have mixed emotions after reading this. As I continued down the page I didn't know what to expect and I admit that the punchline came as a surprise to me. What we know or think we know about a blog friend, even one we have known for many months, is really only the tip of the iceberg. We can only guess what others have been through in their lives. On the one hand it makes me happy to know that you moved out of your comfort zone, explored breakthrough territory, and accomplished something that you didn't think you could do, something that empowers you and gives you a greater sense of security. At the same time it makes me sad to realize that our world is fraught with so much danger that it compels sweet, gentle people like you to arm themselves. It makes me heartsick to learn that you, one of my dearest friends, were driven to take this step because you endured experiences that were bad enough to be considered life and death situations. I join you in praying that you never have to discharge your weapon anywhere except at the firing range.

nouvelles couleurs - vienna atelier said...

Cindy congratulations!

Cindy Ellison said...

Tom ~ Thank you for your concern. Those bad times happened many years ago. I admit I am becoming a little more alarmed at crime. There were still breakins and attempted burgularies in Plano, even in the houses most close to us there. It isn't that I just think things are bad here in the Knoxville area, I just thought I would take this course and learn some things. Today I was reminding Clint of the man who came into our fenced back "yard" in Plano when the house was on the mkt. He was right outside our door and window. Clint warned him how dangereous it was for him to enter a fenced in backyard in Plano, Texas. We admit we had forgotten to lock the gate on the fence. The man said he was just looking at the house. Thank you, Tom. It is true, there are things we learn about our blogger friends that are surprises to us. On a brighter note, there may be some doo-wopping sounds coming from the Dell tomorrow ♪♫♪

Laura ~ It is so nice to see you here! Are you getting much painting down these days? Thank you for stopping by and for your "congratulations".

Shelly said...

Way to go, Cindy! I know how hard that was, but in conquering your fear and gaining a new skill, you've really accomplished some major things. Like you, I hope you will never have to use it, but it's good to have the knowledge anyway.

Emma said...

Cindy, thank you for your openness about a difficult subject like this. Thankfully living in Ireland gun crime is very low and they are illegal. But I have had my own experience with a shooting despite living in a country where guns are illegal. It was very frightening and I can't imagine having to deal with that possibility every day. I have great respect for people who take their safety into their own hands, no one should feel scared in their own home. It's a very responsible thing to take the time to learn how to use a gun properly. I hope you never need to use one Cindy.

Emma x

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Cindy! I have always enjoyed target shooting. We used to compete < not professionally> just a few friends would load up head out to the old gravel pit set up targets and shoot...I enjoyed it tremendously but to use such a tool to take the life of another regardless, man or beast, I am as you "until" I needed to know how to use a gun!
An intruder stood watching me from my bedroom window, I surprised him by coming home...late at night after work...around the Christmas holidays... he had plans of helping himself to all those wonderful gifts under the tree...I dropped my belongins on my bed and then I heard him...His breathing was hard, and rapid, I knew he was watching me, I collected the rampant fear within me and said, "Be Cool Rhonda"...everything in me wanted to run but where....he was outside and I'm inside! I stood there for a moment, and then I remember my 357 in the dresser's top drawer, I casually turned around, opened the drawer, oh my gosh, it is NOT there, I closed the drawer, panic beginning to race through me, I opened the second drawer and oh my gosh, there she laid, I reached down and pulled it up and immediately I heard the breathing stop and his body hit the outside wall of the house....thankful I did not have to use it...called the police...they came out and they stated that the footprints reveal this man was a tall heavy man....that obviously his only intent was to help himself to Christmas.
But it is a a most needed talent to know how to use one of those "tools". Clint gets a smile from me on insisting you visit this "man". KUDOS for you both!

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

I pray God always keeps you safe Cindy and you never do have to use that gun.
I used to carry a small capcicum spray on my key ring. Remember, I used to visit Mental Health patients all around the mountains of TN.I never had a reason to use that spray, even on one patient who pulled a shot gun on my partner. I just gave them all love and respect, and they gave me back the same..
I can't say a few times I wasn't scared, especially going to a lonely farm house..but I am sure Gods angels were all around me. xxx

Anonymous said...

Oh!! Wooowww!! Dear Cindy,
I've already read your post, and the comments you get about this issue. I understand that many folks have gone through rough situations during their lifetime. One may struggle more than others. We'll never know why people react in one way or another. Yes!! Congratulations at your decision to learn how to protect yourself in your territory!! It's very important to protect ourselves from evil doers or evil inputs.
God gives us wisdom in the Bible when He talks about protecting ourselves from evil doers, so that we may wear the Full Armour of God at all times, helmet, breast plate, sword, iron belts, and so on. It's OK. to defend oneself.
It indeed, takes a brave heart to do whatever is right under the eyes of God in Heaven, and to pursue justice for all.
One day, when I'll find a home in the States, if that is God's will, I shall procede in the same way as you do, sweet Cindy. Bravo, girl!!
God bless you, and those you love!!
Greetings,
Poet Starry Dawn.

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,
It's me again, Poet Starry Dawn.
I am sorry. I've made a typing mistake in my previous comment. The heart of a teacher is telling me so...
I mean, "I shall proceed in the same way..."
Blessings,
Poet Starry Dawn.