Confidence

Some people don't have it and want it and others have it and share it. Where does it come from? Why do some people have more than others? How do you get more? Confidence is described as having the "belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities". There are times that we lack confidence regarding certain things - for example, I lack confidence when it comes to singing in public. However, in my car or in my shower, my confidence soars like I could be the next American Idol. Not. But I do have strengths and so do you. When we use our strengths, it builds confidence. When we are successful, it builds confidence. When we take chances, it builds confidence. Since I am inside for the next couple of months and cannot run outside, I am exploring something new to help minimize my attitude towards the ellipitcal during my early morning workout. This is something very new to me and some people would actually freak if they knew. Yes, I am keeping you in suspense for now. Let's see how I do, then my confidence will soar and then I can share. I start tomorrow. I remember when someone at work told me that I had more confidence when I lost weight, but I did not realize that I was "carrying myself differently". It wasn't quite expressed to me in that way, but I am sure that when we feel good about ourselves, it has to show. We don't even know it. But others do. There are so many people who lack confidence to try something new (a new outfit, a new haircut, a new friend, a new job, etc), so they get stuck in a rut. Do you carrying your confidence where others see it? Do you realize that people are naturally drawn to those people that they can learn from and that we are like sponges, wanting to soak it all in? We are driven by an inner yearning to be more and we can be more when we do more, when we think more, when we show the world more. Have confidence today and show everyone that you know who you are.

When we let fear win

I really dislike fear, but we all have it. Yes, even I do. Next to FEAR in my back pocket is its usual sidekick, DOUBT. And boy do I hate it when they tag team me from time to time. This week, I started the G.I.F.T. and yesterday I struggled with overthinking what I did ot didn't do and how it could've gone better. My expectation was to try to get these wonderful women to be open to something different and if you were to ask them or me if I accomplished that, then I would bet our answers would be, "yes." I know I am way too hard on myself, and I was told a couple of times to "let it go." Guess what I had told these ladies Tuesday night, "Let it go." I really dislike it when my own words are reminded of where I need to be. Thanks. If you were to ask me what I was fearful of after Tuesday night, I know what my answer would be, but ultimately, I am afraid that I just might be on to something and it will take me places I want to go. Then, FEAR's little friend, DOUBT shows up because she needs some attention too. Then I doubt if something I said did any kind of difference at all. Kind of like, "What's the point?" Then, I saw someone yesterday that did not come Tuesday night, but was invited. And was so fearful that she couldn't come inside. She drove to the building and let her FEAR and DOUBT win. She never did come in. I am not sure how long she waited outside before she left, but she tells me she will come next month (October 25th) for sure. Today, I was thinking about how I was letting my FEAR and DOUBT win and she did the same thing, but for different reasons. In order for me to help others, I have to let go of what holds me back. It makes it easier that way. For BC, I have to let COURAGE and CONFIDENCE show their pretty little faces and let them lead. I acknowledge that FEAR and DOUBT may still be creeping around the corner and will show up from time to time, but right now looking ahead, I see COURAGE and CONFIDENCE. Fear cannot win. Doubt cannot win. I choose.