I was asked to answer the question “How has the 2010 Spokesperson competition made an impact on your life?” in 250 words or less. But truth is, I could answer that with just five: it has made me uncomfortable.
It’s true. This experience has been a commotion; a whirlwind of events, blogs, videos, everything social networking – all spinning me around into “a glass case of emotion”, as legend Ron Burgundy would say.
I’ve put myself out there for the entire world to see. I’ve made myself available and vulnerable to the public. I’ve stepped away from the normalcy of life and began on a journey to something extraordinary. Yes, the competition has made me uncomfortable, but in the best way possible.
How? Because the beauty of it all is what follows after the fact of being uncomfortable. After the feeling of discomfort pops up, something awesome happens. Discomfort welcomes change, development and engagement. It opens up creativity in a person and pushes them beyond the limits of what they feel capable. Discomfort says hello to mistakes, experimentation and failure, and in turn something unique is created.
If it weren’t for discomfort I wouldn’t have
- made a video pretending to be a cooking show host,
- been on the radio twice
- given away so much free sushi
- met new friends from Ohio, Georgia, and Korea
- and so much more.
I said my goodbyes to comfort and satisfaction, and decided to invite discomfort to stay a while.
~~Alexa~~
