Expand Your Comfort Zone
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 8.14.2017
How do you like being surrounded by people who are constantly complaining? They seem to have a very low tolerance about everything and everyone around them. They complain that the traffic is too slow, the weather is too hot, the room is too dark, the kids are too noisy, and the food is too bland. Then they wonder why they have ulcers, headaches, and few friends.
Sound familiar? The scary part is, that person might be me and you. If we are not careful, we can slowly drift into a mode of “little tolerance and constant irritation” without knowing it. The key is to consciously expand our comfort zone. Treat the small annoyances with a smile and with a pat on your own shoulder, saying “This doesn’t bother me.” Give it a try and you’ll be amazed at how much more pleasant your day can be. You are protected by your own tranquil zone without a racing heart and flushed face. Your friends and colleagues will begin to notice the warm smile on your face, the pleasant greetings from you, and the calm demeanor of a wonderful leader.
Of course, this is easier said than done, and it requires a lot of effort and practice. You can start with something small like dealing with a traffic jam. Listen to some nice music instead of getting upset by it. Take that off your “annoyance list” and gradually expand and enjoy your zone of comfort in other matters. You and your friends will all appreciate the new you. That is what the ancient Chinese proverb has taught us.
“Endure a moment, the wind will subside and the water will be calm.” “Yield a step, enjoy the view of the wide open sea and blue sky.”
Learn to release your endorphin, not your cortisol.
你，是個愛抱怨的人嗎？
–作者 許俊宸博士
–中譯 薛乃綺
你喜歡與不斷抱怨的人做伴嗎？這些人似乎對周遭所有人的寬容度都很低，他們抱怨交通太慢、天氣太熱、房間太暗、孩子們太吵、食物太普通等等，什麼都可以是他們抱怨的內容。然後才開始納悶，為什麼他們會有胃潰瘍、偏頭痛、而且朋友越來越少。
聽起來很熟悉嗎? 可怕的是，那個人可能就是我們自己。。我們可能一不小心，就慢慢陷入這種”小鼻子小眼睛”的模式中而不自知。關鍵就在於持續擴大我們的”舒適區”。用微笑來對待小小的煩惱，並且輕輕拍拍自己的肩膀，告訴自己說：”這對我來說一點都不煩人！”。嘗試一下！你會驚訝你這一天會有多麼的愉快！如此一來，你自己會處在舒適平靜的情況下，而不會因為負面情緒起伏而讓心跳加速或面紅耳赤。慢慢地，你的同事跟朋友們會開始發現，你的臉上都會帶著溫暖的笑容、你會親切地問候他人、甚至是呈現作為一個好的領導者所擁有從容不迫的氣度。
當然，這些事情說起来比做起来容易；而且是需要花很多的力氣去練習的。你可以從小事開始做起，比如說碰到塞車這件事情。你可以聽一些你愛的歌曲，不用一直不斷地被慢車速騷擾。如此你可以学会拋開你的”煩惱清單”，逐漸地擴大並享受你的”舒適區”。而如此一来，你和你的朋友們都會更欣賞這個新的你。這就是老祖先教我們的一句諺語：忍一時，風平浪静。退一步，海濶天空。
祝你每天都能好好的生活在这平静的“舒適區“。
