Expanding your comfort zone for a good cause

One of the best mentors I ever had instilled two memorable concepts I have carried with me daily. (1) We cannot become what we aspire to be by remaining the same. (2) You have the keys to the jail, let yourself out any time you want.

It’s true. You can’t grow if you are unwilling to leave your comfort zone. You may even miss the main act if you don’t look beyond your own little bubble. And who are you waiting for? You are in control?

A google search brings up a number of interesting images when you type in “expanding your comfort zone.” -- see exhibit A. Pretty powerful stuff.

So what are you going to do different this year? Aren’t you curious what might happen?

What if you take a pro bono grandparent custody case to help some five-year-old get settled in
grandma’s house before the school year starts?

What? You’ve never been to family court?

Ah, with VLSP staff guidance, a possible mentoring partnership with an attorney who does practice in family court – you know you could do it. Then the second case would be that much easier.

Maybe you can help unite and keep a family together by obtaining immigration or permanent residence status. Again, there are VLSP staff members to assist with finding forms or locating a colleague who could assist the first time through.

If life begins just outside your comfort zone, VLSP’s roster of cases for assignment might be the leap of faith that opens a whole new world.

By Nora A. Jones

Exhibit A