One Sunday afternoon
during church an elder spoke about embracing and not pushing away the things
that we come up against that we are afraid of in life. Imagine letting things poor over you and
fully immersing yourself in them.
Letting those things surround us instead of applying the breaks.
Think about the things in
your life that wouldn’t be had you not decided to take a risk? OR had someone decided not to take a risk on
you?
I’ve noticed that there
are two types of risks that I frequently find myself contemplating: the
emotional and the physical. And from
where I’m looking you’re better at either one or the other. Think about it, how many (and no offense
folks) adrenaline junkies are also
super great at being emotionally vulnerable?
And how many of us who are really great at being risk-takers in
relationships are super thrilled about all those extreme sport experiences? Or even the small things, like an upside down roller-coaster?
I feel like I’m on a
continuum somewhere smack in the middle between those two; Neither good at one
or the other OR, perhaps, equally good at both.
So what have I decided to
do about it? Well, that’s easy: TAKE A
RISK! Totally easier said than done, but here are some things that have
helped me.
Number one: Read all
about it! Some of the books that I have learned most about how to be a better
me are: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
(haven’t finished this yet), Wild by
Cheryl Strayed, Moral Courage by
Rushworth Kidder, and The Alchemist by
Paulo Coelho. Also, for those of you are
searching for a God centered perspective: Mary
Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver (working through this with a
Women’s Bible study group at Church) and Stepping
Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss (I’ve read this book at least 4
times).
Number two: Get outta
your comfort zone! The easiest way to do
this is to join a group where other folks are doing the same thing. That way you all can be socially awkward
together! (Just sayin). If you live in
Orange County, check out the Red Shoe
Society (through the OC Ronald McDonald House). This is a volunteer opportunity, which is
another VERY good way to meet new people, help your community, and feel
good. I also volunteer at a therapeutic
horse-riding center every so often. In
addition, you can get involved with your Alma Mater, happy hour anyone? Even if you don’t drink, they usually have
free food at fun new places which you can provide feedback about to other
friends and family members. I’ve
honestly met or reconnected with folks who have only made my life fuller.
Number three: If you’re
in a profession there are conferences. GO TO THEM! You wind up hearing speakers
like Brene Brown. You also, again, meet new people and learn new things, and
get free give-a-ways and travel and….and…and…
Number four: Go try those
things you’ve always wanted to try. Like
joining a rock-climbing gym. They
usually have free yoga and fitness classes and sometimes a gym! Maybe a pole
dancing class? Perhaps kayaking? Or hiking? You know the only person who thinks
you look ridiculous is you? You know why? Cause you think you do. If you need help, ask. That’s why we are all here. Most of the time
folks who work to serve you at these places don’t say “no” and they would LOVE
to help you. It’s their passion and who
doesn’t love sharing about their passion? Eventually you’ll work yourself up to doing
something you never imagined you could do.
But you wouldn’t of known you could do it unless you took the first
step!
Number five: Take the plunge! I mean like that thing you've been talking about but haven't made it into a reality. A dog? A new car? Your master's degree? A new job? No better time than right now? So what are you waiting for? You...I mean....we...can make it happen!
So yah, risks, you should
take them! Don’t let people or the fact that maybe you fell off the horse (a few
times) before you got it slow you down.
One of the best pieces of advice that my father gave me was, “to get
back on the horse.” Back when he said that it was a literal expression, but I feel like he
meant it figuratively too.
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you
are not going to stay where you are” –J.P. Morgan
