So, today, I am writing about elements. No! Not science. And, no! Not weather. Just elements... as in, comfort zones. And, feeling out of your own element. Out of your safe space. Just some of my elemental thoughts on it. PIMP LOL. You know? Come to think of it? I guess it could be weather, too. Sometimes, we feel out of our element when the elements are out of it! PIMP LOL. You know? Like this crazy Florida weather we've been having and, really, everyone all over the country. We do change inside just like the seasons. Anyway, back to my story. So, how did I come up with this? Well, been thinking about it a lot lately since I can’t drive much or travel because of health reasons right now and dizziness. I always feel out of my comfort zone with my crazy body. And that’s one zone? I can’t leave. Physically, that is! When I sing or pray or sometimes relax, I take a vacation from myself...my body, that is. Lots of times if we feel out of our element, we get out of Dodge! I can’t. Kind of an oxymoron, right? Saying that my body is my “out of comfort zone”, right? It’s where I live. But, it’s my Dodge! I can’t run. Maybe, we are all like that a little. Living with ourselves can sometimes be uncomfortable. But, I am speaking mostly physical right now, for me, anyways. So, I fill it with music and humor and hope and try to make it more comfortable, more livable. I keep trying…is the elemental point. Sometimes, it just doesn’t work the way I want it to. The way that is comfortable for me. The way it used to! 
We say that a lot…all of us. You know? The way things used to? Things change. God stays the same! That’s the Good News! We would forget we needed Him or anyone else if we never left that comfort zone. Right? I mean, everyone calls on God when things are horrible. But, when thing go well? Not so much. Same with we humans. We give attention and care so much when others are hurting which is a good thing. 
But, when someone is doing well? Are we thankful and encouraging or would that take us out of our own comfort zone? Right? You know what I mean. I truly can say that because I can’t control a lot of things physically? I depend on God so much for everything. I mean I am the kind of person who words hard and will figure out what to do to fix anything, even myself, my body. I am a hands-on, observant, detective, overly sensitive, discerning kind of authentic individual. With emphasis on the overly sensitive. But, some things are out of my control. Speaking of everything? That song was in the line-up this weekend at church. And, I had been very out of my comfort zone all week with shaking and twitching with my nervous system reactions to everything, but God is greater. And, He gave me a “higher” nervous system reaction to singing “Everything” than everything around me could have done. I guess, really? It was a higher spiritual reaction. For that, I am so thankful. No, it's not easy. I do admit I pray every day for it to be easier for me. Tears... And, singing that song about seeing God in everything…is really my life. Seeing Him in my breathing, my speaking, my resting, my eating, even drinking water…living! Good song by Tim Hughes. Anyway, seems whenever I am at my worst physically, then comes an opportunity. This past week was a great example of God’s power. After our church gig Saturday night, I found out that the other song we had sang (Thou Art A Shield) was a local woman, Mary Barrett’s recording. An awesome worship leader! I cried after hearing the story when I got home. I went on YouTube and watched and listened to some of her videos. She had gone through so much and had similar health difficulties as I do. Fabulous talent and missed by so many! She is with Jesus, now…it was an incredible feeling and
honor to do that song with the whole band the next day for 2 more services. Thank you, Mary, for sharing your beautiful gifts and your testimony and your life and music! And the others for sharing her story. Her website: http://www.marybarrett.com/Mary_Barrett/Mary_Barrett_-_The_Vanishing_Point.html And, then, yesterday, the thought about all this moved to writing about it. Which is usually what happens when God is speaking to my soul about what I need to work on. So, I move on from hope to humor. So, the story goes on when a friend of mine, Kaitlyn Victory, told me about her professor. Oh, snap! This professor? She randomly starts quoting elements in class out of nowhere. I’m thinking she was out of her element that morning, right? You know what I mean? A few chemicals & cells short of a synapse? Out of HER element? So, she quoted the first twenty chemical elements? K! Am I out of my element, too? Just kidding! I love teaching! I actually used to be a teacher’s assistant and Children’s Church teacher. Oh, synapse! K! The rest of the story is…the young lady had more classes, work, etc. and then IV. I thought she was joking like me and meant that she would need an IV after her big day. PIMP LOL. No. 
IV stands for InterVarsity which is the name of her Christian fellowship on campus. Funny…perfect acronym. I know my days sometimes feel like I need an IV. I figured it was something like that...but, it sounded funny! Kind of the same thought there. I love it. InterVarsity was her IV. Her main line to life! Fellowship is what we all need. Sometimes, we might feel out of our element or comfort zone getting out for fellowship or whatever it is that we feel we’re in the middle of, right now. Fellowship? Just a big word for hanging out...finding something of similar interest. Sometimes, fellowship might mean having to find something in common and might be out of our comfort zone. Like musicians, sometimes have to find a crossover in their different tastes to be able to hang out. If we just hung out with the same people with the same interests or common places? We'd never grow. Not sayin' we can't hang out within our comfort zone, though. We need that. I need that! Some down time. We all have “the place” where we feel in our element, comfortable. For some, it is a place…for me it is singing and writing and decorating and humor and more. Not so much a physical place. I know when we are in our own element, that God can use us to bless others. When we are in our comfort zone, we can definitely comfort others. So, it’s a good thing. But, we don’t want to get so comfortable that we call on God less. Oh, and IV? Could be like a really cool band name. Like InterVene...IV! Perfect! So, have an elementally fun day out there in the elements. Even if you are out of your own element! Comfort someone today...no matter if you have to step into your comfort zone or out of your comfort zone! You'll be comforted! So, I love to hear from you guys, so comment or email. And stop by my other rooms and posts here. Don't forget to click on the photos to get..., well, to get the bigger picture! Hope this place? Is a comfort zone for you. Duh! That’s elementary, Trace!
On a side note? Seems in writing this article and in this past week, I am being reminded of the short time we have on this earth to give ourselves. This is just temporary. I just found out while typing this that one of my all-time favorite artists, as in singer, guitar player, Gary Moore, died on Sunday, February 6 in Spain. He was only 58 and was not your usual loaded out blues-rock guy, so I was surprised at his early death. And I speak from experience before I changed my life. I now sing and play Christian Blues and Rock and everything. Still love alot of the old stuff, though. He was so incredibly talented. When I listened to him? I was in my comfort zone!! That is why is he is one of my top 5 all-time favorite musicians and my top 5 albums "Still Got The Blues". Wow! Going to miss his talent. What a feel for singing and playing. Gives me chills. Check him out. I learned alot from practicing along with his songs over and over again singing and listening. Gave his whole heart and soul. I loved all his music, but, these are two of my favs he did, so sit back and listen and watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWp-Mazmf88 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuAVHHRlxLg&feature=fvst
