Step Out

This week I was challenged with stepping out of a zone I was not keen to leave. I’m still not keen. And yet I did it.

And here’s what I learned: stepping out is vital.

Taking a risk is often worth it. Not only when it works out but the very act of taking the risk is in itself something worth praising yourself for.

So often we limit ourselves. We say things like: “I could never… I can’t… I don’t think… I’m not really qualified… I don’t really have it in me…” And the list goes on – and all we’re saying is: “I’m afraid.”

And you know what? Each of us is too. And that’s OK.

No one ever said don’t be afraid. It’s what you do when confronted with fear that will determine how far and how high you will go.

For most of our lives we are taught not to fail. We are taught to take the road that has the most chance at success. And we live this way. Taking the least amount of risk. Doing what hurts the least. Staying in zones that hold us back.

And when life happens and we fail, we hide. We try to pretend everything’s fine because someone told us failing means we’re losers. How sad.

Failing means we’re human. Period.

There are ups and for crying out loud there are downs.

At times we make mistakes. And I dare say the more mistakes you make the more we know you’re doing something worthwhile.

Only people playing it safe, doing absolutely nothing of significance can brag about how much they’re not failing. I don’t envy them. Not one bit.

I have made the kind of mistakes that would make your insides churn.

Some of my failures have been so astronomical, years after I’d made them, they still made me shudder just thinking on them.

I am learning to not regret them but to rather embrace them as a part of my very spectacular life- A very important part of my learning.

When I’m done with mistakes that will be the day I’m being buried, cold, lifeless, dead. The truth of this is freeing me.

About the zone I was in – I really enjoyed it and let me tell you that after stepping out I stepped right back into it. It’s where I want to be – for now. But while I stepped out I found out something about myself that was quite profound. I plan to step out again – I’m strategising on how to do it better next time. But I am SO glad I did step out.

You deserve to know what’s on the other side of your fear.

Remember when you were kid and you were afraid of the dark? It wasn’t the dark you were afraid of –it was what you thought was in the dark.

Growing up is having the courage to turn the lights out and teach your mind a different way of thinking.