Repost from April 28, 2014
Have you ever seen those people who stand at the edge of the pool, trying to talk themselves into jumping in? Imagine this: It’s a hot, sunny day, and everyone around is having a great time splashing and playing games like Marco Polo and water volleyball. Everything inside of me wants to partake in the festivities; everything inside of me says that this is sure to be fun. And yet, there is another voice in my head reminding me of the discomfort I might feel due to the chill of the water. The voice warns yet again that I may look funny or even hurt myself if I jump in. And so, I linger at the side of the pool…debating and wondering, excited and fearful…all at the same time. What aggravates me is that while I linger, time is wasting.
There are several things that are in my heart to accomplish. I’m standing by the side of my pool, looking at all of the hopes and dreams and goals that are waiting on me and saying “Jump in already!” My history is such that I have learned to numb the push and passion to pursue those things. I learned to silence the part of me that is courageous and adventurous so that I could more closely listen to the part of me that concerns itself with safety and anxiety. This is my attempt to encourage myself even if the voice inside of me resists jumping. This is my attempt to calm my anxious self and empower my brave, resilient self. This is my attempt to talk myself into jumping in versus waiting for someone to push me into my pool of potential. Life is meant to be lived, and living is the epitome of bravery.
India.Arie sings one of my favorite songs entitled “Just Do You!” Some of the lyrics go like this:
There’s a story waiting for you to write it
There’s a treasure waiting for you to find it
There’s a picture waiting for you to paint it
There’s a dollar waiting for you to make it
So what’chu waiting on
Who You waiting for
If You don’t take a chance You’ll never know what’s in store…Just do you!
I wonder if I’m the lonely soul who could use a little India.Arie singing in her ear today. Could it be that I’m the only one who needs a push into a pool of potential and progress? If, by chance, I’m not alone in my struggle to be brave, I hope these words will inspire others to jump in too.