Online

Eiriksson, Loftur Páll

Leadership and Developmental Sciences

2020

M. Ed.

Abstract When I was young, I always looked at the world with frightened eyes. Growing up I was so afraid of dying I placed myself inside a bubble. The comfort zone I created around my parents and our family home was a place my mom never imagined I could leave. I never imagined I would leave. Here, shielded from my perceived dangers, I felt happy and safe. Using the method of Scholarly Person Narrative, I will tell the story of my development and growth into a stronger individual--mentally and physically. I will examine my personal history and explain how I found the courage to leave my comfort zone to face my fears and why that mattered. I will illustrate how difficult this was, how I handled challenges, and how my approaches to failure as an athlete and educator changed my perspective toward life. The key to the success in my journey was the use of vulnerability. The vulnerability of leaving my comfort zone helped me uncover my true nature and live in the moment. It helped me embrace the fear, that not knowing what the future holds is all part of the bigger picture. It allowed me to take a step back and explore who I was outside of my comfort zone. Instead of living in fear each day, this examination helped me open up and start living life with joy.