Taking Risks

I have talked myself out of so many things. But what if this happens? What if I sound stupid? What if, what if, what if? Risk can be too much for me. Somehow if it’s a big thing, it’s not such a big deal though. The bigger the risk, it seems the less I think about it. There are times I have surprised myself with my risk taking. I moved to New York City all by myself at 18 years old like it was no big deal. Maybe it was because I wanted it so badly for so long. I would see people from Nashville when I came home for holidays and they were so impressed that I moved “to the big city” not really knowing anyone and without family. To me I just saw it as the next thing I had to do in life. I wasn’t waiting around to know people or have family to go with me. When I look back on some of the bigger risks I’ve taken, I think about how things could have gone so wrong. But yet they didn’t and I lived to tell the tale. 

Writing my book was a huge risk. There were stories I was worried about sharing with the world. I was worried about repercussions. Then I realized I that there was more to the story than the secret I was worried about sharing. There was a lesson there, entertainment value or something relatable. Whenever I do poetry readings the stories and poems I am the most worried about reading out loud in front of people are usually the ones that have had the best response. Afterward I feel kind of silly for being worried about sharing those things. Especially when people tell me how much my words meant to them. I am so good at making myself nervous about stupid stuff. I have noticed lately that the nerves are just markers of a good risk.

My friends over at Creative Souls Tribe have the theme of being fearless this month. Some of us in the tribe talked recently about how fear is a liar. This is something I know but I need to keep reminding myself of this.

My husband is a big help when I need to be pushed out of my comfort zone when there is a risk to take. Sometimes I push back but I’m always happy once I get to the other side. And so far he has been right about taking those risks. I was waiting for the right moment today to take a big risk and instead missed my chance. I see now how just taking the opportunity when it presented itself could have led to bigger and better things than just waiting.

I am going to listen to the nerves this month, and let them tell me I’m on the right track. I won’t sit back and wait for opportunity. I will instead seek it out. I hope you will join me in being fearless this month.

Have you missed out on an opportunity because you were too afraid to take a risk? Share your hindsight in the comments!

There are only a few copies left of my book to be personalized and sent out! Get your copy in the store section of my website here. If you are local to Nashville Parnassus Books has autographed copies back in stock!