By the time you read this, I will
have done something that feels pretty scary to me: attend a big concert in Nashville by myself. This photo shows my courage escorting me out the door!
I really want to see Andrea Bocelli in concert. Plus one of my
favorite singers, Lauren Daigle, will also perform at least one song with him.
When I first saw promotions for this event, I watched a ton of performances on YouTube to get myself psyched up about going and spending
that much money on a ticket. Unfortunately, my husband has zero interest and I never got around to asking any friends to see if they might want to go.
Eventually, I talked myself out of it, saying, Well it would
be a good concert, but it's really not that important. It's expensive and the excitement of one night will come and go ... I can live without it.
I had forgotten all about it until a couple days ago, when
another ad popped up. My desire was as strong as ever and with great relief, I realized there was still time to buy a ticket and go.
But the idea of going to a concert by myself feels like big girl stuff. The idea of
going into downtown Nashville, finding parking and doing the whole thing solo feels like really big girl stuff.
I'm writing this on the morning of the event and up to an hour ago, I was still racking my brain
to think who I could ask to go with me. But something just didn’t feel right about anyone I thought to ask.
I prayed about it and I feel like part of the adventure is me going alone. That's a key piece of the "win"
that's waiting for me on the other side of bolstering my courage to leave my comfortable little nest in the woods, drive to the city and LIVE BIG for a night.
A few years ago, I wanted to travel to Florida to check out
places to host my first women’s retreat. I couldn't get anybody to go with me. I even offered to pay for everything because I needed to go anyway. No takers. It just didn't work with anyone's schedule.
I couldn't imagine
going by myself, but I needed to find a place. I finally decided maybe taking a solo road trip was part of the growth opportunity for me. I went alone and it was an incredible trip. It was liberating to realize I don’t always have to have company to pursue what matters to me.
I suspect this solo concert adventure will also be extra special because I did it by myself. Because I went alone.
I spoke with a friend this morning and
told her of my hesitation and fears, but committed to hang up the phone, buy the ticket, and trust that the rest would sort itself out.
I no longer had to wait for someone else to validate that it's a really big deal.
Because it's a really big deal to me.
The ticket is purchased! Parking options have been noted. I have mapped out my drive to Nashville to arrive in plenty of time. It's going to be a grand evening, a beautiful date
with myself.
Ironically, what I had already wanted to write about this week was having the courage to do the things that excite us, even when no one else gets it. Even when we share our ideas and they don't land on our
usual supporters the way we hope they will. And even if our choices may disappoint some people.
I can dismiss my desires, and sometimes I still do, but I keep learning that depending on other people's buy-in does
not lead to my greatest happiness or my highest good. And if I don’t reach my highest good, I don’t share everything I’m meant to share with the world in my own unique way.
I am experiencing the need for courage and
authenticity right now in my art journey, as well as in my women’s retreats. Next time, I’ll write more about forging ahead anyway, and the importance of being true to our callings.
I'm guessing that many of you can
relate. Is there something you really love doing, watching, listening to, or creating that other people don't get? It doesn't light them up the way it lights you up? Do you second guess yourself, dial yourself back because of that, or do you do it anyway?
A courageous life is synonymous with an awesome life, and it lives just past our comfort zones. There are many ways to feel good in this world, but I love the feeling of facing a fear with boldness, doing the thing anyway, and celebrating on the other side of saying YES.
I like to match my painting of the week to the topic when possible. Be sure to take a peek at "The Other Side" below.
If
you have a story you would like to tell of how you were afraid to do something, but you did it anyway, please share that in our Facebook group. I would love to read about it. Come on, inspire us! You may ignite a YES in someone else.
OR...
if you are trying to muster up the courage to do something BIG, tell us about that in our group so we can cheer you on. Sharing it with someone else may be all you need to finally just do
it.
