Hello weekday readers. I hope your weekend was sunny and marvelous. I spent my first real summer evening out with friends on a restaurant patio eating good food and it was Vancouver awesome. I plan on doing that many more times over the next few months.
I just read this little nugget on Keri Smith’s blog ( which is fabulous by the way) that I’d love to share with you;
The lesson garnered from this story; you never know what will come up when you just put yourself out into the world in new and unexpected ways. People you didn’t know you were looking for are bound to find you. The universe opens and gives you little surprise gifts.
The story that she refers to you can read on her blog, however I loved what she said about being brave enough to put yourself into the world and never knowing what you’ll find.
I think about this stuff a lot. It vexes me at times. I have been brave and put myself out there in ways that years ago would have terrified me. In fact, it still does terrify me, but I have grown to realise that the awesomeness that can come your way outweighs the scariness. I can be quite the scaredy cat when it comes to just about anything so figuring my way through the nerves to get to the other side is always a struggle. What I do know is this, once you get to the other side, a whole world of fabulousness can be yours. I know this to be true.
One of my people who “I didn’t know I was looking for” found me a couple of years ago and because of her, a whole world of opportunities have come my way. I’ll tell you more about her soon perhaps. I’m sure you’ve heard of her. Really, you have. I’ve mentioned her here a few times. She’s kind of fabulous.
I’m putting myself out there more and more and I’m being brave. It’s really bloody hard but it’s worth it.
How was your weekend? Do you get nervous when putting yourself out into the world?
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This weekend was Wonderfulness. It was filled with so many special unexpected surprises. Saturday, we passed Sharpies back and forth taking turns drawing random symbols on a small patch of paper. I wasn’t sure if they would be up for it, but they played along. I guess it’s best to forget the word nervous and just Do. The finished result is priceless… so many similar creative moments.
I need to be better at being brave. When there is something I want to do/achieve/whatever I seem to get paralyzed by fear and the possibility of getting my dream smashed. I keep reminding myself I may be missing out on the possibility of having my dreams come true.
I swear I’m secretly a hermit and definitley get nervous about putting myself out there. Every once in a while I break through the nervousness barriers and often find myself rewarded.
Had a great weekend, despite the humidity being crazy high. Have a great week.
I do get nervous… but i do it all the same ;) I’m glad you do too. What comes out of your bravery is inspiring! xo
I love this. (And now you’re gonna get me hooked on another blog.) :)
I’m terrified of putting myself out there. Really. But I’m learning and collecting little bits of bravery from fearless people around me. I was the photographer who took pictures “for myself,” which really means “afraid to show them to people.” But I started a project and an accompanying blog. And I’ve jumped into other people’s blogs instead of just lurking. Stretching to the very edges of who I am is scary and sometimes painful, but most often it’s worth it.
The weekend was filled with family and friend gatherings. I’ve found myself at baby shower after baby shower am excited about all the new people joining the world. We caught up with some relatives we hadn’t seen in years and even got everyone to pose for a family picture. I’d say wonderful doesn’t even describe it.
I love her blog ! So inspiring ;o)
thank you for the little encouragement :)
These are such good thoughts and something I need to remember often. I get terribly nervous and shy about putting myself out there, but I am working on it little by little. Blogging has been a great source of inspiration and practice.
Weekends are unpleasant. I would rather go to school than get stuck in a hot kitchen at work all day.
Fear is annoying! It seems that no amount of logic can shoo it away. Even for the simplest things, like… going into a store I’d never been to – it’s scary! And I know that it’s a perfectly normal thing to do and nothing horrible will happen, but still I will avoid interesting places just because I’d never been properly introduced.
It’s poopy, because getting art out there, networking, selling on etsy, going to shows… all of that super important stuff is so daunting and unachievable that it’s no wonder I’m dragging myself through pastry arts to get another “job” instead of doing what I would really much rather like to do.
i am mentally and emotionally preparing to put myself out there as I am preparing to move to a different country where i dont really know anyone.. i’m scared but also excited because you just dont know what tomorrow will bring..
i really like your blog.. the other day i was in a bakery (Buzy Bakery in Woollahra – you may know it :) and I found myself photographing my capuccino :)
I’m working backwards with the comments…
State of Sunday…moving to a new country is a bloody brave and incredible thing to do. I know all about that one! I sometimes forget that it’s a big accomplishment in itself and have to remind myself of that fact.
and thanks, love! Haha cappuccino shots are heart warming. I love Woollahra!
melle, I can understand the avoiding. Fear of the unknown is pretty controlling. I think it gets easier as you get older…or you realise that you miss out too much if you allow the fear to get in the way.
Taking risks is scary and I think it’s normal to feel that way.
Alexandria, I totally agree about the blogging thing. It is helped me immensely.
Li, thanks for stopping by!
Catherine, hello dear. It is, it is.
Carmela, your weekend sounds fabulous. I love bubba showers! I love what you said about collecting bravery from the people around you. I’m going to try that.
Alex, you hide it well, love. Have I told you lately how much I love your site? LOL
Kathryn, I can be a hermit when I want to too. Are you a Cancer crab born in June/July like me? Sometimes I LOVE my shell.
So true, Vanessa. We have to remember that the fear lasts for a teeny amount of time compared to what greatness could come of it.
WilB, I love those creative moments.
Thanks for all the great comments, everyone. xx
Yes, but I’m getting better. I’m starting to realize those tiny little gifts from the universe she mentioned more often. That I get so much more pride and satisfaction when I do step out of my comfort zone and have a good time. I used to not be a risk taker at all, but the more courageous things I do the braver I feel all the time!
Thanks for this little reminder post!
Keri Smith is fabulous and I so excited she is coming to Vancouver.
I feel like I muster a bit of courage and put myself out there with every post. We all need to be reminded about the small badges of bravery.
Everything about putting myself out into the world makes me nervous. I had a brief, wonderful time – in 2005 – when I was doing exactly that, though. The entire year was filled with newness and excitement. And then, I lost it. Or, rather, let it fall away.
I’m dying to get it back. To force myself out of my hard candy shell and live better, freer, more…again. I know I feel better when I do it, but it’s so difficult for me to get beyond the wall I’ve build. Sometimes just the thought of that effort makes me tired and discouraged enough to give in.