I spent many summers at sleepaway camp, and have spent almost as many summers in return working as a camp counselor of whatever variety. One of the things I remember most from my years as both a camper, and now as a counselor is the stoplight system. It's used primarily when campers are doing team building exercises, or when a child is getting ready to begin a solo activity that might be particularly challenging. Logically, green zones are where a camper feels totally collected, whereas yellow zones typically entail more fear, perhaps some panic, and definitely a bit of discomfort, and the red zone is where we see children break down-- or as the counselors would describe it-- the hysterical, pee your pants scared zone.
It's great to know campers are comfortable, but as counselors-- we have always been more focused on pushing campers into the yellow zone. The place of uncertainty. The line that challenges a person's fear and their ability to conquer said trials. My yellow zone as a camper ranged from finishing large rock walls, to sleeping in the woods, to peeing in the woods, and simply surviving a room of latex balloons (fun fact: I had an intense fear of balloons until I was ten. We're talking blood curdling screaming meltdowns. That made a great first sleepaway camp experience hah).
When years have passed, it is much easier to look back at the funny stories and laugh about that fear, but in those moments-- I have such vivid memories of said fear.
I see that same nine year olds meltdown in a nineteen year old who used to sit and have the same fear induced reaction to a sandwich. Both in hindsight seem silly-- but in the moment-- the waves are intense. I have seen that same fear in friends, colleagues, elders... over things from relationships, to grades, to schedules, and even finances... all of which work themselves out in due time-- but seem so big and really impossible in the moment.
I look at my life and see that the traffic zones haven't left-- despite the season or age, I never find myself reaching full comfort because that means I am no longer growing.
Change begins just beyond the comfort zone.
For us to keep going and growing, we have to realize that contentment is important, yes-- but nothing can bloom from stagnant movement.
I think the yellow zones find us-- fear not. But the best thing we can do to show ourselves and others compassion, is to embrace the seasons of unknowns. To ride the wave of uncertainty, and do your best in the moment. Not every moment is going to be comfortable, and much of our lives hold difficult moments. But just as it is with growing up-- how can one expect to live a full and prosperous life if they never even take the steps outside the nest?
It's great to know campers are comfortable, but as counselors-- we have always been more focused on pushing campers into the yellow zone. The place of uncertainty. The line that challenges a person's fear and their ability to conquer said trials. My yellow zone as a camper ranged from finishing large rock walls, to sleeping in the woods, to peeing in the woods, and simply surviving a room of latex balloons (fun fact: I had an intense fear of balloons until I was ten. We're talking blood curdling screaming meltdowns. That made a great first sleepaway camp experience hah).
When years have passed, it is much easier to look back at the funny stories and laugh about that fear, but in those moments-- I have such vivid memories of said fear.
I see that same nine year olds meltdown in a nineteen year old who used to sit and have the same fear induced reaction to a sandwich. Both in hindsight seem silly-- but in the moment-- the waves are intense. I have seen that same fear in friends, colleagues, elders... over things from relationships, to grades, to schedules, and even finances... all of which work themselves out in due time-- but seem so big and really impossible in the moment.
I look at my life and see that the traffic zones haven't left-- despite the season or age, I never find myself reaching full comfort because that means I am no longer growing.
Change begins just beyond the comfort zone.
For us to keep going and growing, we have to realize that contentment is important, yes-- but nothing can bloom from stagnant movement.
I think the yellow zones find us-- fear not. But the best thing we can do to show ourselves and others compassion, is to embrace the seasons of unknowns. To ride the wave of uncertainty, and do your best in the moment. Not every moment is going to be comfortable, and much of our lives hold difficult moments. But just as it is with growing up-- how can one expect to live a full and prosperous life if they never even take the steps outside the nest?
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