Surprising yourself

Have you surprised yourself lately?
For instance by mastering a challenge you found incredibly difficult or by changing your mindset on something that you used to have a set opinion on for a very long time,etc.

I have reflected a little and noticed I have surprised myself quite a bit lately.

In past I cracked jokes about if one ever saw me jogging/running ,it's because my life was in danger.
Now I have started to hit the gym 2-3 times per week.

My take on guns/shooting was that I rather left that to others.
Then this spring I applied for a full time position as an armed security guard and figured worst that could happen was they would reject me for lack of experience,but I actually got the job and learned to shoot a 9 mm gun and revolver.

Now this one has been a slow movement ,but the extense of the change has surprised me.
I used to be a loooot less girly than I now am.
Rarely ever putting on makeup,hated clothes shopping (especially while working in fashion retail), didn't have my nails done.
These days I shop for clothes a lot more ,especially on sale, get my finger nails done, sometimes curl my hair,put on mascara and eye shadow on most days,and the most recent thing is getting my toe nails done,too.

After a break up,I used to cry,think and feel horrible for weeks or months,questioning and blaming myself.
It has gotten easier for me to not get absorbed with blames and obsessing over a break up.
Now I go out,hit the gym,do nice things for myself,and feel better a lot sooner.

Would like to hear some things that you have surprised yourself with.

 

Good thread....some times i believe people underestimate themselves.

Its good to reflect on who you are and try something difficult.

I didnt think i would get thru basic training.

 

Great thread idea.

Years ago, I flirted with the idea of going to medical school. But 21 year old me wasn't mature enough or disciplined enough to follow through with it. Also, 21 year old was deathly afraid of needles. LOL.

Flash forward to me at 42.

My parents were watching an old 60 minutes they recorded from last season and one of the stories they talked about an Italian man who started a clinic/hospital in Africa (Sudan, maybe??) to perform open heart surgeries on children who had previously had strep throat that were never cured with antibiotics.

This is something I didn't know, but they said that 4 out of 5 of those children will show serious heart defects from carrying around the bacteria and many of them will not live past 25 (if I'm remembering it all correctly).

My heart just went out to those children and it made me realize how I wished I HAD gone to medical school so I could go to Africa and use my services to truly make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

And it's not just this story, but I also had a real aching to go to help out with the Ebola victims.

 

Another excellent thread.

 

Public speaking....oooh thats scary

 

Involved in a personal initiative I call "Project 21" for the 21 skill trades I'm taking on to study currently in a trade school. I have enrolled in an Apprenticeship program in "Facilities Maintenance Specialist". One of those hidden jobs that pay extremely well. I'm doing this to prove to myself that I can learn complex trades. So far I have completed eight out of 21. For example:

Residential Electricity B
Mathematics for Trades and Industry B
Computer Applications for Business A
Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps I/II B/A
Blue Print Reading for Construction A
Heating Technology B
Small Gas Engine Repairs A

Still have the following to do:

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) I/II
Machine Shop Technology I/II
Mechanical Codes
Electrical Codes
Plumbing Codes
Plumbing Theory and Methods
Natural Gas Fitter
Commercial and Industrial Electricity
Electronic Repair Technician
HVAC Controls
Welding (Electric Arc)
Welding (Fluxcore)
Welding MIG
Welding TIG

I'm surprise I'm still dedicated to completing this initiative and I will.

 

I am going back to school. My quandary is the prospective major(s); criminal justice to get my bachelor's degree and maybe a master's degree. Or train to become a professional pilot. Before the fall of next year, I will know.

 

Which school(s) you looking at?

 

I would do this but it is far cheaper to buy the books than to take the class unless you NEED certification.

 

Good job, Be-you-tiful86! Keep it up!

 

I am not really sure. That is why I am going to take the time to do some research before I make a final decision. But I will go back to school, where ever the school is.

 

I need the certifications. I will get the ones I need the most. So far I'm learning not from just books but with hands on. Hands on re-enforces learning.
You need both like in the martial arts. Will be taking Mechanical Codes and HVAC-R Controls next semester.