Martine Rolls: Venture outside your comfort zone

Northland reporter Kristin Edge and police officer Tracee Knowler will race a rickshaw, from the top of India to the bottom in three weeks. Photo/File

A while ago I had a conversation with a woman who told me she was a shy person.

She admitted she wished she would be a little more confident, especially in social situations.

I asked her for a pen and a piece of paper, and drew something that I'd seen online. It was a big circle, which depicts the comfort zone. Outside of the circle, I scribbled another circle and wrote in it: this is where things happen.

Ever since I can remember, I have been keen to try new things - some of them bordering on crazy.

Because I worked for a tourism marketing company for a few years, I've jumped off the Sky Tower, bungeed into the Waikato River, abseiled in the Waitomo Caves, and swum with stingrays in French Polynesia.

All incredible experiences, and things I could have never done if I didn't have my confidence.

Kristin Edge from Whangarei, who is a reporter for our sister paper the Northern Advocate, sent me a request on Facebook yesterday to like the page Chickshaw Blues.

I first thought it was some sort of a music group but then I realised it is an awesome fundraising initiative.

Kristin has teamed up with New Zealand's most northern cop Tracee Knowler to embark on a most amazing adventure, and their goal is to raise money for victims of sexual abuse in the Far North, supporting a charity called the Miriam Centre.

They are going to race a tuktuk, also known as a rickshaw, from the top of India to the bottom in three weeks.

Kristin and Tracee will head to India in August and pay their own way, but they will gratefully accept donations for the Miriam Centre. Knowing Kristin, she will be blogging about their adventure daily, and I can't wait to follow it all on http://www.theadventurists.com/rickshaw-run/#whats-the-rickshaw-run

Being confident and gutsy are things I like to instil in my children, too. I want them to grow up with a can-do attitude and not be afraid to take the bull by the horns.

Unfortunately, many young people think they need booze to feel more confident, outgoing and happy. I doubt it was any different when I was growing up, but I've seen the effects of too much alcohol on young people lately and it isn't pretty.

The Bay of Plenty police posted something on Facebook on Saturday, which I found interesting. First of all, I think it's a good thing police are using social media. Facebook and Twitter are easy to use and news spreads fast.

What they posted on Saturday night had to do with a party that the Rotorua police had closed down.

A large number of drunk young people, unknown to the occupier, had gatecrashed and, as police officers were assisting to clear the address, a grossly intoxicated 14-year-old girl collapsed in front of them.

As you'd expect, the officers immediately administered first aid and called for an ambulance, and the girl was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Police then used Facebook to communicate how dangerous alcohol can be, especially for young people.

It read: "Different factors affect the impact of alcohol on an individual.

"Everything from how much they've drunk to when they last ate, their physical shape and health can play a role, which means the effects from boozing can sometimes take people by surprise.

"Vomiting, fainting and loss of consciousness are all associated with alcohol misuse.

"If you're with someone who stops having a good time, and goes from bad to worse, some simple first aid steps could save their life. If you're really worried about a mate who has drunk too much then call an ambulance immediately. It might save a life and you won't get into trouble."

This was followed by instructions on what to do if someone loses consciousness after drinking too much.

I applaud the Bay of Plenty police for posting this. Although Facebook pages like these are likely to attract inappropriate comments and criticism, they also have the potential to save lives.

Martine Rolls is a Tauranga writer and digital strategist - www.sweetorange.co.nz