Sarah Jordan

Galbreath

English 1010-11 Editorial Essay

9-23-07

“Breaking Through A Comfort Zone”

Before my year long sailing trip to Europe, I was a completely different

person. My upbringing was in a comfortable environment, where poverty was not thought

of or seen. Without even realizing it, I was stuck in my comfort zone and living a content

life. I took so much for granted; having clean water to drink and a bed to sleep in. My

mind was set on the next materialist object that I needed to buy in order to keep up with

the current style. Lets face it; I was selfish. I didn’t even think of the world outside of

mine. I had no idea that a mere trip would drastically change my view on materialism,

determination, and the value of socializing. I had to jump over the hurdle of my comfort

zone and overcome my innermost insecurities. Recognizing and acknowledging how

people live in different parts of the world can only make an individual grow into a

stronger person with greater values.

Sailing to Europe and the Bahamas for a year sounded quite extravagant; well, at

least that’s what I thought. My parents and two younger brothers packed up our

belongings, sold our house, bought a boat, and set sail to venture out into the world. My

dad explained that the trip “was not going to be what I expected and I needed to go into it

with an open mind.” Regardless of what he said, my thoughts were only positive and I

imagined a relaxing vacation; it makes me laugh now because I was so wrong.

I will never forget my first crossing. We pulled into port, located in the heart of

the Azores, after a strenuous fourteen- day sail. I was eager to see land again, but

immediately froze when I stepped foot and ventured into the town. Everyone was so

different in every way possible including the language, ethnicity, and culture. I felt

completely lost and out of place. The tense feeling overtook my body and I betrayed the

confidence I once had. I made sure that my family was always close by, and walking

alone never crossed my mind. I was incredibly uneasy around the people; they were

different.

It is so easy to get caught up in an everyday schedule and simply follow a robotic

routine. In general, people wake up around the same time, get ready and go to work or

school, go home, sleep, then wake up and start all over again. Over time, this schedule

becomes too comfortable and it is easy to forget what opportunities are available. There

are so many amazing places to see, cultures to gain knowledge of, and experiences to

endure. In a way, living within the same borders and repeating activities, is cheating

oneself from truly living. A life without determination, willpower, and knowledge, is a

life with nothing at all. Understanding how other cultures live and learning how to be

accepting, is crucial. Acceptance and respect is the key to becoming blissful. Traveling

and learning through experience is the only way to appreciate differences and genuinely

understand the world.

My family was sailing one evening through the Mediterranean Sea. I was so

annoyed earlier that day because I was not ready to leave and work my way to another

destination. With the sun slowly setting while painting the water pink and orange, and the

waves softly knocking the stern, made me realize the beauty of my surrounding. I had

forgotten the tranquility of nature; the world we live in every day. I felt so selfish for

desiring a first class seat on a luxurious plane just hours before. I didn’t realize how much

materialism had meant to me. Guiding the vessel in accordance to the light breeze, not

only made me feel in control and powerful, but grateful. I was so in tune with the ocean

and world around me that the extravagant objects that I once yearned for, seemed

ridiculously irrelevant. All of a sudden, I felt at peace. A peace that can only be found

when one realizes what is important and what is not. It is an amazing feeling.

Sailing to different destinations really made me appreciate my surroundings and

the culture. I felt the need to embrace the environment. I worked my way there rather

than taking a commercial plane and I felt deserving. I had to push myself to break

through my comfort zone every time we docked our boat. Exploring and becoming

familiar with various places throughout the globe is the greatest gift that I have ever

received.

It is common for people to connect money and materialism with dominance. It is

everywhere; the cars, houses, clothes, and even careers. Lets be honest, when driving

down the highway, a BMW would be noticed automatically in comparison to a station

wagon. It symbolizes money and supremacy. There is one word for this; pathetic.

In Barcelona, Spain, my family spent a great deal of time with three individuals.

We had dinner together regularly and went out together. After spending three months in

Spain, naturally, everyone grew close. The same respect was shared and there was never

any sign of competition. Interestingly, each individual followed completely different

career paths from all different parts of the world; a brain surgeon from the United States,

a construction worker from Puerto Rico, and a teacher from France. At the time, I found

it odd that people from such different social classes and places didn’t even seem to care.

No one spoke of their occupation, they simply enjoyed the company. They all treated

each other as people, not someone according to their personal lifestyle. I found this

remarkable and the lesson I learned sticks with me to this day; a profession, materialism,

and appearance will never make a person, but what that individual truly stands for is what

counts.

People are just people. Meeting countless diverse people overpowered my evil

trait to judge others. It doesn’t matter where someone is from, how much money they

make, or what religion they follow, we are all the same. We share the same needs and

similar wants. Somewhere along the line, people forget to see the truth in others, and the

wall that culture and familiarity tends to block out acceptance, is built. We all live on the

same earth and we are human beings; I guess it’s easier said than to actually understand.