Motivational Mondays Week 17: Go out to eat w/ someone (non-family) and not ask to be hidden away in a booth somewhere.

17 weeks ago on a quest in 2014 to face some fears and mainly move out of my comfort zones I began Motivational Mondays.  I'm hoping to grow in many areas by embarking on this journey. I have heard that your amount of growth is directly related to how uncomfortable you are willing to get.  Join me this year as I get uncomfortable and get up off my duff.

So, on week 17 I decided to tackle  #17:  Go out to eat with someone (non family) and not ask to be hidden away in a booth somewhere.

I don't know what my problem is , but I am pretty sure I know from where it has derived.  Some of you know and others (probably, mostly family) will be surprised to know that I have wrestled w/ the phobia of eating in front of others and in public on and off since the 90's.  For those of you, again, mostly family who wonder how this can be, let me just remind you of a little blue pill I take called "Valium" that has been quite instrumental in getting me thru those dinners out in restaurants w/o making a scene or having a panic attack.

Back in the 90's I met this amazing woman of God named Ruth Willard.  She was just so sweet and precious and amazing.  I used to spend a lot of time at her place in those days and the years to follow and w/o fail she would almost always offer me something to eat when we would get together.  At first, when I said I didn't eat in public I don't think she was quite sure what to think, but I can tell you this...she never judged me or shamed me or made me feel as though there must be something REALLY wrong w/ me I mean, c'mon, who doesn't eat in front of other people?  Thru patience and prayer after 6 long years I finally came to a place where I was able to eat something in front of her.  It was a triumphant moment.

Fast forward about 10 years and I was right back where I had been and had no clue how I got there.  I, AGAIN, was not eating in front of people or in public w/o valium in my system above the prescribed amount.  




Level of uncomfortable-ness on a scale of 1-10, 1 being slightly uncomfortable and 10 being "I am only doing this for my readers and will never attempt this again" This rates a 7.

So, @ the end of the 17th week of Motivational Mondays I am proud to say I have achieved my goal and can cross it off the list.  

Just 38 more to go... Here's what's left:
1. Do not sit in the back row at church.
2. Do not sit alone in the back row at church.
3. Introduce myself to someone at church I don't know.
4. Audition for a stage show.
5. Go out to eat alone.
6. Do not eat in bed for one day.
7. Do not eat in bed for one week.
8. Go one day without getting on the internet.
9. Post NO STATUS UPDATES on Fb for a week.
10. Write a very personal song and share it with someone.
11. Use of the computer is restricted to the dining room downstairs for one week or if I move.. anywhere in the house except the bedroom.
12. Sit in a chair instead of being on the comfy sofa for one week of therapy.
13. Spend one evening watching TV downstairs.
14. Spend one week watching TV downstairs.
15. Divulge something personal I have never told anyone before.
16. Eat lunch at work in front of my peers.
17. Go out to eat with someone (non family) and not ask to be hidden away in a booth somewhere.
18. Go w/o nail polish, even clear, for one week.
19. No texting (except my therapist) for one week.
20. Do not stay in bed past 9 a.m. on a Saturday.
21. Hug a stranger.
22. Invite someone over to my place and cook them dinner.
23. Make a dessert from scratch to share at work.
24. Go one week eating nothing from a can.
25. Go one week eating nothing purchased pre-prepared.
26. Try a new seafood.
27. Cook a meal for Mom and Mike.
28. Iron clothes for an hour straight
29. No FB for a week.
30. Go one week w/o eating leftovers
31. Wear something leg revealing
32. Go to work one day with no make-up on
33. Write left handed for a day
34. Give $20 to a stranger
35. Pay for the persons order behind me at the drive thru
36. Bless someone I know with at least $100
37. Cook dinner for my pastor and his wife
38. Go one day w/o using the microwave
39. Go 1 week w/o using the microwave
40. Wear my rings on opposite fingers
41. Get another piercing
42. Get another tattoo or get mine fixed
43. Dress up on dress down Friday
44. Use no emoticons for one week
45. Use no abbreviations or special characters when I journal for a day
46. No abbreviations or special characters when journaling for a week.
47. No use of color for one week
48. Have lunch in the cafeteria at work for 1 week
49. Take a local unfamiliar road and see where it leads
50. Have lunch with a co-worker
51. Consume 20 grams of protein everyday for a week
52. Eat fruit everyday for a week