Nov 10, 2023 By Dave Bates for The Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-Reporter.Com 4 min read

As I write this column I am, indeed, out of my element.

I am struggling to get Internet access at the hotel where I’m staying. It’s largely because of my lack of technological know-how. The cute little girl waiting on me at Mama Dolce’s has also taken pity on me as well and gotten me the restaurant’s password for the wifi. My waitress, Taylor, checks back on me frequently and giggles when I struggle with all phases of connectivity.

I am writing this column on the road because I am at law enforcement firearms instructor school in Bethlehem. Talk about swimming in water over my head. Young police officers with good eyes, quick reflexes, strong backs and already more years on the street than I’ll ever amass are with me. As much as I want to despise them, I can only admire them. But it did get me to thinking … how do I get myself into such predicaments? Because I rather enjoy being out of my element.

We tend to be creatures of comfort. We like to do what we’ve always done because it’s comfortable. I’m as guilty of it as anyone but every once in a while I force myself out of the zone and take on a project that is way out of my wheelhouse. This week’s school is exactly such a project. My goal is to become the firearms instructor for our police department. I’m older than all the officers. OK, I’m older than most of the instructors. Waiting until age 57 to attend firearms instructor development was probably not my brightest move ever, but then again, being married 16 years before having a child at 41 was not one of my brighter ideas. Going to the police academy at 50 was equally ridiculous and no one had any problem telling me so. And they were probably right. And I’d check every one of those boxes again if I had it to do all over.

So what am I actually writing about this week? I’m really writing about trying something different. Making oneself intentionally uncomfortable. Instead of sitting in that same tree stand for another deer season, get out and scout for a new, less comfortable stand that just might be a bit more productive. Maybe come down to ground level and hunt from the forest floor for a change. I did it last year for the first time in at least a dozen seasons and ended up taking one of the nicer bucks I’ve harvested in years. It certainly made me uncomfortable to be at ground level with the deer. If you haven’t still-hunted, then give it a whirl. Challenge yourself to stalk and glass and you might learn a thing or two that you won’t grasp if you sit another season up in that same stand. Sure you may blow an opportunity or two, but boy will you learn. And isn’t that what it’s really all about?

Come to think of it, when was the last time you tried something really new?

Maybe you’ve been thinking of taking up archery or hunting with a pistol?

How about throwing a fly line or learning to pick mushrooms?

Sure, there are lots of built-in excuses to fall back on. We all understand not wanting to die a poisonous death from the fatal Death Cap. That’s why we need mentors to guide the way and help us learn.

So, before you commit yourself to another season of the same old same old, think about mixing it up. What is that one thing you’ve been wanting to try forever but just can’t pull the trigger on? Now’s the time. Don’t miss another opportunity for success that could be right around the bend if you only take the chance. Shake yourself out of your comfort zone and get started on trying something new. I’ll bet you find some surprising successes for all of your efforts and uncomfortability.

Good luck and good hunting this season. I have to go now because Taylor needs the table and she’ll have to help me send this email to my editor before she finishes her shift. She might have to help me plot my guidance system to get me back to the hotel if I’m to make class in the morning.

Boy, would George Block be proud of me this week.