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From: Alan (to Julie)
Date: 15 Oct 2011
Time: 14:12:25 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.70.138
Hi Julie, I am most grateful to you for taking the time to read my paper and participate in the threaded discussion. You wrote: “One of the things you wrote in a followup response that really struck me was that 'our ability to tolerate short periods of discomfort is the key to change'. This is such a powerful message and one that I can't stop thinking about.” Julie, I think you will gain a better understanding of my comment if you would care to read the following paper that I contributed to the 2003 ISAD Online Conference.: ‘STEP OUTSIDE: Why expanding comfort zones can improve our stuttering and lead to more fulfilling lives’ (2003) http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad6/papers/badmington6.html In that paper, I opine that the avenues for expanding one's comfort zones are immense, providing we use initiative and imagination. I list a few ideas which you may wish to consider suggesting to your clients. Incidentally, the principles I outlined in that paper do not just apply to persons who stutter. In order for ANYONE to achieve greater personal growth, and live more fulfilling lives, they must step outside their comfort zones. We don't change behaviours by retaining the status quo. Some of us are capable of taking larger steps than others. We are all different - the length of our stride differs from person to person. There is an old Chinese proverb which says, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step". Taking that first step is so important. I have certainly derived immense benefit from adhering to the following advice offered by former American First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt: "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...You must do the thing you think you cannot do". If you have the time, you may also wish to read two of my past ISAD Online Conference papers that (inter alia) touch upon this subject: ‘How Beliefs and Self-image Can Influence Stuttering’ (2009) http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad12/papers/badmington12.html ‘Two things I wish I’d known about stuttering when I was younger’ (2007) http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad10/papers/messages10/badmington10.html Thank you, once again, for your interest. Kindest regards Alan