Dare to be you

That is the hardest assignment we will ever have. No tests in school, no reviews, and no study hall can ever prepare us to accept this assignment. We also have to appreciate that we are going to fail when we get side-tracked and let our attentions be swayed by others' thoughts and/or actions. You will find great success in simply being you. I have never really had the courage before now to be me. I mean, really allowed my heart to soar and let it guide me. I think I was afraid that others wouldn't like me and I wanted to be accepted. But when I stopped caring about what others think (to an extent), I also in turn shut them all out. Sometimes being us is all we know...it is what makes us unique and special. I have a co-worker who is nervous about doing something new and letting others see her for the beautiful woman she is inside. She anticipates the worst scenario and is holding on to that bar on the rollercoaster with both hands, white-knuckles, and probably half-leaning over the side, just in case she needs to be sick. We all feel like that from time to time, but I need help her see that she can still have control over how she interacts with those around her. She can control her thoughts. I know I was not someone who took a lot of risks and still don't. I don't like the way it makes me feel. But I have learned to not be so afraid of things anymore. Part of being you means allowing others in and exploring what your life could be. It means that people will gravitate to you because of what they see and know about you, not because of what they guess about you. You will experience joy like never before, even if you can't explain why. I was NEVER vulnerable in front of others and kept it all bottled up inside. Now, I can cry at three words just said, and I have broken down in front of others, not caring that I did so. We all deserve you...all of you...and that is the gift you were blessed to give the rest of us. When you tell yourself, "I can't do that" - ask yourself, "Why not?", Who says you can't? Why can't you? Don't sell yourself short before you have had a chance to sell it to TO yourself. Dare to be you...it is all you ever need and is an easier assignment than you think. You cannot fail at something you were born to do. Don't let fear dictate who I see in you...dare to be you.

Being frightened is a good thing

I know we might not think so, but I think this is true. I mean, when we are a little on edge and nervous, we are paying very close attention to what is going on around us. Not having all of the answers and being in a new place take us where we have never been before. If we are always in the status quo, then we never do anything new, never feel anything new, never learn anything new, etc. We don't have all of the answers, and not knowing what is just around that bend that is waiting for us is a great thing. We should be ok with the rollercoaster ride we are on and put our hands up as we travel the track of life. Just like the ride, there are parts where we anticipate the long upward climb, as we hear the gears on the track inching us closer to the top. Then we travel downwards, at speeds we are sure we are not meant to travel, with twists and turns, and minor bumps, and everything else it will throw our way. But during that time, we might be afraid and scream (some of us more than others), we might laugh, we might smile. But, all in all, we love it. We are no longer afraid and don't have regrets about letting our fear win, but relish in the fact that we had a great time. I remember when we went to Cancun last year and we were ziplining and rappeling through the jungle and how my family seemed timid when traveling down the cable about 8 stories above the ground. They were cautiously waiting to grab the cable, and then there is me.

Loving every minute of it, perhaps a little afraid, but really opening myself to enjoying what I was doing. This is what life is about. Really living it. I still find it so amazing when I finally started living my life, instead of being afraid of life. I had done that for so long and I refuse to do it again. Be frightened...it just may be the most fun, bestest time, you have ever had. And because of that you will treasure those memories and you will have no regrets.

Dare to Live!

This morning, I was reminded of a child's game called, "Truth or Dare" and was thinking why did it have to be "or"? For those of you that are unfamiliar with the game, you sit with your closest friends and one of them asks you, "Truth or Dare?" and you have to pick one. If you pick "Truth" then, that friend will ask you a question and you have to answer it truthfully. Now, when you are 7 years old, answering a question about if you "like" someone else in front of others can be extremely difficult and possibly humiliating. However, if you pick "Dare" then you have essentially agreed to do whatever this person asks you to do. Maybe, it is going up to the person you "like" and telling them you "like" them. Equally difficult and possibly humiliating. Here is my secret...I never liked to play this game when I was a child. Are you kidding me?? My choices were: A) Be vulnerable or B) Take chances. Not part of my M.O., especially if I had a choice to join in or not. I chose not. But not today. Today, I was thinking that we can do both - we can do "Truth and Dare". When you choose the kind of life you want to live and take chances, and dare to live, then you are being truthful to yourself. You are not afraid of someone laughing at you or not seeing the same thing you see. Frankly (my dear), you get to that point in your life when you just stop caring about pleasing others first and start putting your desires, your dreams, and your life first. I had a really nice conversation last night with a new person I just met this week, and she asked me one question. "Tell me about yourself" was all she said. In 30 minutes, I tried to sum up everything that brought me to this very point in my life...where I come from, where I am now, and where I plan to be. In 18 months, I have finally learned to live. I have been dared by signs I cannot explain and by God himself to do what I am meant to do. Following my heart makes me finally be honest with myself and lets those people around me see the REAL me. It won't subside, regardless of what is in front of me right now. Where are you? Are you being truthful to yourself? Are you willing to take chances and dare to live YOUR life? Here is the secret...unlike the childhood game, you don't have to choose. When you choose one, you choose the other. TRUTH AND DARE!!