Hanging Upside Down
Think Space Jam’s “I believe I can fly” mixed with Cirque du Soleil wanna be’s. Now you have an idea of where I am. In a million years, I never thought I would be watching my daughter try an Aerial Arts class. I did not even realize such a class existed two weeks ago. Cross country was coming to an end, so why not? I am not even sure why we said "yes." As parents, aren’t we supposed to say "no" to things that are pointless and silly, like hanging from fabric?
I have to remind myself to save the “nos” for the ones that really matter…quite against my nature, I must admit. But as I watch Annika jump into something completely foreign to her, I am reminded that there is something beautiful about putting yourself in a vulnerable position to try something new. It is amazing how early in life we begin to resist anything that makes us feel the slightest bit vulnerable.
While I have absolutely no desire to hang upside down or be an aerial artist, I think all of us have dreams and goals we will hardly even utter, let alone try. There are things to do and places to go that we just push out of our mind. Perhaps we should ask the hard questions of ourselves so that we can identify the reason we do not allow ourselves the freedom to get out of our comfort zone. Instead of being stuck in our ruts, what if we drive right out of them?
Are you afraid of failing? Are you afraid of looking foolish in front of others? Is there someone in particular that you do not want to disappoint? Where fear grips you, I am reminded of the counsel I heard a few years ago. Perhaps the best way to get beyond your fears is to go ahead and fail four or five times. Chances are good that the sun will still come up and life will go on. So why not accept the fact that you are not perfect and stop trying to appear as if you are? Consider the words of two wiser than me:
- Remember that failure is an event, not a person.
- Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.
We only have one life to live. Make it count, even if it includes hanging upside down!
What you are going to step out and try? I would love to hear!