Being Bold is Scary
August 15th, 2008 by Ann Vertel
My birthday is in a few weeks. How on earth did that happen?!?!? I was lying in bed this morning, awake very early since I’m still jet-lagged from a month-long trip, and wondering just when exactly it was that people stopped telling me, “You have your whole life ahead of you.” I think it must have been in my early thirties. Not sure but I do know they don’t say that to me now.
I’m a big believer in the future, as you probably know. You can change your entire future with one decision, one choice, one bold action today. And I’m excited about the future. I often spend too much time living for tomorrow. It occurs to me, however, that the number of tomorrows I have left are finite. There are only so many of them, I don’t know what that finite number is, and then that’s it. Game over.
Makes me realize that I have lots to do before I go! And since I don’t know when that is, I better get moving. I don’t want to die with my music still in me. You shouldn’t either.
What is the most compelling dream you hold today? The one that just won’t go away. The one you wake up thinking about and possibly putting off another day because life keeps “happening” to you? That big, bold dream will only get closer if you take a confident step toward it each day. Aw shucks, take an unconfident step…just step out there. Be bold. Make mistakes. Just DO something.
Odd as it may seem, my bold action step for today is just writing this post. Just being me, being vulnerable … you know, warts and all. It’s scary and exhilarating at the same time. My power partners (God love ‘em!) have been encouraging me to be more vulnerable. Whew, are you kidding!?!? Me?!! Vulnerable?!? I’m much more comfortable speaking with the “teacher voice” - my sister calls my unsolicited advice just another “teachable moment” and I know exactly what she means. I doubt I’ll ever stop teaching, its in my blood. But today I’m going to do my level best to put a little more Ann in my writing as well. For me, that’s bold.
Now go have a POWERFUL day!
- Ann Vertel, UnitCoach
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This entry was posted on Friday, August 15th, 2008 at 2:37 pm and is filed under Self Confidence. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Great!! Just what I needed today.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I need power partners like yours. Where did you meet them?
I like what you said about the most compelling dream we hold today, the one that won’t go away. I need to take a bold step for my dream: telling my husband & all my friends what this dream is, & then calling the people God has told me to call to help me get started. I have a feeling God won’t let me go until I start this dream. Thanks!
August 16th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Ruby, I was just reading this blog and saw your comment. I attended junior high school in Kenner Louisiana with someone named Ruby Garner. It’s not a very common name, so I thought I would ask.
August 16th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
WOW! I love this! I can relate to your feelings on birthdays! And as far as doing now what you “could” put off tomorrow is what I call “work in progress” for me. I can hear the clock ticking and I have lots of dreams to accomplish! I am stepping out and stepping up!!!
August 16th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Ann, this email is so what I need to see/read! Awesome perspective … especially considering that my b’day is coming up in a couple of weeks as well! Mines on 9/3 - when’s yours? HA! Goes fast and when I was in my 20s and 30s I though there was sooo much time to get it “all” done! Amazing how much “younger” older people get as WE get older - right? Anyway, thanks again and you are awesome and a huge inspiration! Happy B’day Girlfriend! Hugs, Alice Pirola a/k/a “Joe’s wife” (as you would know!)
August 26th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Ann, I enjoyed you sharing about your new bold step to share more of the “real” Ann with your readers. That is a courageous step and I wish you continued courage as you open the window of your heart to give us more glimpses of the beautiful you inside. We sometimes worry about the warts, but I think there’s a lot more princess than warthog within each of us!
I just came across a quote by Oscar Wilde that I thought you might enjoy:
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.”
By the way, happy birthday when it arrives!
Yours for more boldness,
Brenda L.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I love the way you write. Thanx for giving us the pep-talk that is much needed. I am going to take that bold step. And I can understand. Where did the time go? I was just wondering “How do I want to live this segment of my life- in FEAR or Glory?” I am ready for that transformation- to alter or change so that something can never go back to the way it use to be. I thank you again and hope to speak to you soon.