Tonight I have tried to write four different posts, and they all didn’t work. It’s getting late and I need to get something up for Wednesday’s post.
So I’m going to share my Christmas photos with you. This was a huge risk for me last December because I’m a perfectionist and was scared to invite women over for a tea. You know how that goes. I was too worried about image. Would they like my food? Will they get bored? etc. etc. 
And my biggest risk was I went pink and silver throughout my entire house. I can go into details but what I want to share is that I risked big. And it paid off. 
So again, I ask what are you scared of trying? I know this comes from my heart of being scared for a long time to risk failure. But I want to help women today to stop and ask, is it worth it? Is it worth not risking and never knowing what could have
happened? I can put this in Christian terms. I can put this in secular terms. I want to prod, poke, grab you to think about why are you playing it safe? And if I can be so bold as to say, my pictures are pretty – So I challenge you to not comment on them but please comment on my words.
Jan, I’m so tired today so even getting this comment out is a risk for me. My brain is full. I think your photos and words are lovely. You go, girl.
Me, too. I was so surprised that I just couldn’t get anything out yesterday. And I’m trying not to complain about this because I think of the new people joining. I remember how hard it was last year. Every step was new and scary.
Thank you.
Oh, you all keep pointing out my flaws. UGH! Ok, I’ll tell you two things that I’ve been “procrastinating” because deep down I am afraid I might fail…well, and plus one takes an enormous amount of time and the other some substantial money…but “afraid to fail” was a big part of the equation too! 1-this blogathon (which I feel I’m doing ok in. I’ve posted every day so far so that’s a plus) and 2-going back for my master’s or taking website design classes. Number two is more complicated because it involves investing in myself not knowing “for sure” if I’ll recoup the investment which also can be viewed as “failing.” So there you have it… I admit it….I’ve been playing it safe! But p.s. “love” the pink theme for Christmas! 🙂
Oh, Julie.
This comment ended up in my spam box…I’m so glad I found it. 1. you are doing great on the blogathon. It’s just plain hard sometimes to post a simple post!
2. Masters in what??? Totally understand that one. Have struggled with going back to get a MA in counseling or writing a book? Therapist or book? book or therapist? (didn’t mean this to be about me – but have to say that I’m right there with you, sister!)
How hard would it be to take a web design class? Hmmm? Any community colleges around you?
p.s. love the pink theme too…not sure if my family will allow it again this year. 🙂
p.s.s. knew there was a reason why I was to write about this subject again…
Sorry, had to comment to your comment. Well, it’s sure nice to know that I’m not the only one struggling with choosing “a” or “b.” It’s so frustrating. I’m thinking I’d enjoy teaching communications (speech, social networking, web design) to community college kids, but that would require a Master’s in Comm. And while you’d think that taking a website design class would be a simple thing, well, I’ve looked into it, and there’s a multitude of classes to take. I mean, if I’m going to do it, I should “really” jump in, right? Just to give you an idea of what I’ve found are some of the courses I should take, they are: html, advanced html, css, dreamweaver or expression web, flash, fireworks, photoshop, java… and that’s not even getting into the interactivity or relational database part of website design. It honestly gives me a headache thinking about it all….hence the “playing it safe.” But come June, after the blogathon is over, I’m going to do something. This blogathon has made me realize ” it’s time.” So thanks!
p.s. Do you think there’s something going on from my end that would send my comment to spam?
I have a long history of risk aversion. I’ve been working to change that (it’s hard) over the last few years and I can say it is *so* worth it. Your tree is beautiful…I know I wasn’t supposed to comment on the photos. But really, it’s lovely!
oh, people can make comments on my pictures. They are nice to hear. But I didn’t want to make it about my pictures.
And I have a tendency to hide behind my own comments when I’m posting at someone else’s blog and NOT deal with my fears. I just want to encourage any readers to think about their ways of not dealing with their fears.
Your photos *are* lovely Jan and you clearly have a knack for decorating! There’s a good lesson we can all take from your story: What we’re afraid of often has no basis in reality, just our own fears. Personally, I’m scared to start selling my own writing as well as the writing I do as a translator of someone else’s words. I can hide behind their work, but if an essay *I* write is rejected, that’s personal. But… it is time to take a deep breath and try, because which is worse: fear of failure or regret for not trying? Lots to think about, Jan. Thanks for the prod.
Thank you, Lisa. I actually have learned that I *copy* well. If I can see it, I can reproduce it.
YES. YES. YES. You won’t regret it. My very first article was rejected (and it ached for 15 mins) but I had learned to send a second article right back to the editor.
I did. She bought it. History in the making.
Do it
You really do like pink! 🙂
When I avoid doing something I spend more energy avoiding the thing than I would actually doing it. Or at least that’s what it feels like after the fact. And when I actually get around to doing it, I always think, hmm, that wasn’t so bad after all. Lesson learned: just go for it. And what happens if you go for it and fail? You learn what not to do the next time. And that’s not bad.
Michelle R.
I am on the brink of risking big. It has a grip on me, and I am pushing through. With God’s help and courage, I can do it. I know I’m supposed to, and so I push on. Love you, love your words, love your beautiful challenge.
Hugs,
Lisa