FROM AFAR

As I looked outside towards the balcony, I noticed a dimness. For some reason, I did not attribute that to the solar eclipse as I thought I’d read that it would not be seen in Texas until later in the day. It was almost noon when I noticed a lessening of the sun’s intensity. But by then, the event was over.

Since I had no solar eclipse viewing glasses, I took my chance and quickly took a photo with my phone. It was not at all a good photo, but I didn’t care so much. It’s the capturing of a point in time to add to my memories. My children then sent me their photos that they managed to make from their viewing area in San Antonio. They had the glasses I did not have and were able to see the sun being blocked by the moon.

I had intended to venture to a coffee shop this morning, but ended up staying home. Somehow the thought of sitting and drinking coffee by myself was not as appealing as simply being home and researching interesting places to visit and planning a trip that might or might not happen.

Contemplating leaving the familiarity and comfort of our homes to explore more of a vast world yet to be revealed can seem daunting. It is much more convenient to view the world from afar instead of to actually participate in the process ourselves. In so doing, we become complacent and thus risk being detached from not only other people, but ourselves.

If we are to move forward in life, we will need to get over our fears and inhibitions and expand our horizons. For there is no growth without adventure. Where we are faced with solving new challenges that come along with being in a new environment.

Getting out of our comfort zone can lead us to expand our minds. To discover things which can eventually influence the course our lives. Seeing how other people live, how they interact with one another, and getting to speak to people in other parts of our world can serve to make our own lives better. Sometimes, that decision can lead us to take a path we never knew existed. A path unknown.

It’s simple to sit at home and do the same thing we have always done. Not much effort is required. But is ‘simple’ what we truly desire? Will we be able to live with the regret of not taking a chance?