August 21 Something to think about...

[Billie]

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.
Charles Du Bo


A good friend of ours who we see at least once a week was just offered the perfect job for her. She has a lot of experience in it and when she has worked in this field she has always glowed with passion and pride, it's a really good fit.

Yeterday she came over for Sunday breakfast and started going on and on about being scared to take this job. What if she fails? What is she can't do it? She kept looking back on the immediate 5 years of seeming failure in her life (her words) and al of a sudden she lost track of what she could become and was not interested in sacrificing what she was right now for that.

As she talked I thought of all of us here who daily are trying to become something more than we are right now. And how we fight those changes even though we are quite aware the changes we are proposing our for our own good health, well being etc.

The current time in our lives may seem safer and since we balk at change on occasion :peeved: we may slide more easily because of it. The safety net of what we do is really a false bottom as certainly there is no safety on not taking charge and being accountable to good health.

Are you ready to sacrifice what you are for what you could be? What steps today are you going to take to get to where you want to be?

Have a great day!

[hawk]

It seems so hard to do. We know what we are. She's right in some ways.. what if she dreams of becoming and then fails. Her dream dies... But then it is always only a dream if she doesn't try.
I went to a local outside art fair. I looked at all the water color, oil and acrylic. Only one booth had anything I deamed decent. And it was awesome. The rest made me wonder "how did they get into a juried art show?". Why am I so afraid to get in there and put out what I am to the public? There was 1 portrait painter , and there was no way the photo and the drawing were even close. I was disapointed. My son said.. "MOM ,it should be easy for you to get into this." Why does it seem impossible still? I would like to know from others who have crossed that.

As for PP. I am plugging away. I have lost 4 pounds this month so far. I have passed up more bad food and suddenly with no problem. I keep seeing what I could be in my mind. I have that vision. I don't feel bad about the way I look any longer,because I know it is only temporary.

Maybe I can't see the art show in my mind yet. There is so much of the unknown. I have not idea what it intails.

[gitfiddle]

Sometimes it just takes time to get used to an idea. Lynn, you're the one who knows what standards you want to attain and it sounds like you're able to define them. Pretty soon you'll just itch to get your drawings out there. Wait for a small venue where you will feel safe, perhaps.

I know my voice limitations, and I don't feel comfortable enough to make a cd. The truth is, I've heard friends' homemade recordings that make me cringe for the singer. I'm just singing for fun. Photography is different because I have more control over my product. Bottom line is that I have a hard time with criticism of something so close to my soul.

[hawk]

Could be my fear Carol. I think I need to get over it.I just need to work on it. I know I can do it. I can feel it inside me. It's fighting to get out.

[Jackie]

Just go for it Lynn, I think sometimes we can surprize the heck out of ourselves

Take care

[SherryJ]

It's fighting to get out.
Let 'er RIP, Hawk!!!

I've seen what you can do... now, let the WORLD see your TALENT!!!

Sherry

[cmcole]

Unfortunately, being a person who can focus on the self-doubts and fears, I have let opportunities slip by the wayside.

If I try and don't reach my own standards, have I failed? Most people would think not - I would think I had failed.

I had this impression regarding the military. I joined. I went through Basic Training. I was injured, yet I still kept at the training all through the fall and winter, because I was determined to prove that I could keep up with people the age of my children, and fulfil a commitment I had made to my country, my Unit and myself (perhaps not in that order).

Yesterday I was talking to a Sergent who will be retiring in the forseeable future (four years or so). She said she will likely have regrets. Why? For leaving? For not doing everything she set out to achieve? I don't know. My regrets are not completing what I set out to begin, however, I can look at the positives:

- I am in much better shape. There is no way I would be running like I am now, had it not been for joining the military
- I am in much better shape in other ways, too. I visit the gym fairly regularly (yes, I should go more often) because I need to do so just to keep my shoulder from giving me more trouble than it does
- I really did complete Basic Training, and didn't ask to be carried along (the Sgt said there was a woman on her BT course my age (thought she didn't know that at the time) who they had to practically "carry through" just so she passed). I did it all alone (well, I did it . . . we were supposed to work as a team on some things).

There are lots of things I've accomplished through proper eating, too.

I have the same types of fears regarding new jobs, even though somewhere in my mind I know I could do it, the same old fears of "I can't" or "I might fail" come back and haunt me. They shouldn't. My family has way more faith in my abilities than I do.

[gitfiddle]

CM, I want to be the best at what I do. In the past, if I thought I didn't have a decent chance at being very good at something, I wouldn't try it. I missed a lot of opportunities earlier in my life. I have to will myself to accept being in the middle ground. When circumstances shove me into the foreground, that old feeling kicks in and I have to fight it. I'm not the best, I'm not the worst, and I'm okay with it. Usually. ;) And it's taken me years to get to this place.

It's a good idea to make a list of your victories, as you've done. One of my most cherished victories that still boggles my mind is that I am so loved by my family. With low self-esteem, thats almost impossible to accept. I was afraid I'd mess it up. Now I just love them back and enjoy it.

[hawk]

My son teaches martial arts. Jujitsu. He did not win his last pro match . He came in Second .He was very upset.. But there are thousands of couch potatoes who have no clue how to even begin what he does and many who would never get to the point he is at with all of his self discipline. I cannot imagine the hours he put into it to get where he is at now. He is very leathal. If he thought he should not do it because how can a 5' 8" guy compete with much taller males, than he would not be as awesome looking as he is now.
He has inspires me and checks up on my art work weekly.Pushing me.One step at a time till success. Susie W. is on her way . Her journal is awesome. Check it out . Many here have begun the walk...one step today..one step tomorrow..

[gitfiddle]

I agree that there are many more benefits to martial arts than winning tournements. It changes your body, your mind and your spirit. Kudos to him!