Yesterday marked the last day in the 15 Day Writing Challenge that I participated in with Jeff Goins and I thought now would be a good opportunity to reflect on the previous two weeks.
He packed a lot of great stuff into those 15 days and there were a lot of challenges that really pushed me to go places where I didn't feel at all comfortable, but I went anyway. Except for those times when I didn't, but they were few. And, I had really good reasons.
Nevertheless, there are several pearls of wisdom that I'm taking away with me that I've discovered are equally valuable when applied to other areas of my life, in addition to writing.
I've learned that I'm the one who gets to decide who I Am and I have room on my head for more than one hat, even if some of them don't fit perfectly yet.
I've learned that it feels really good to keep my word to myself, even if it means following through on a commitment to get up 2 hours earlier than I normally do. Coffee helps.
I've learned that even if I'm not quite ready to take the Really Big Scary Step, there are several smaller, less frightening ways I can sneak up on it.
I've learned that I'm much more adept at changing my perspective than I give myself credit for and that it's also a skill I will artfully twist to avoid a particularly uncomfortable task. I prefer to look at it as a form of invention and innovation.
See what I mean?
I've learned that anything worth doing well takes practice, patience, and persistence.
I've learned that I really can make a difference and if I have the courage to put myself out there and stand up for what I believe in, I won't be standing alone.
I've learned that it's very comforting to have a friend's hand to hold when the bogeyman is lurking in the shadows.
Every major accomplishment, and a lot of minor ones too, deserve a celebration. It's not much fun partying alone, so I'm giving away one of my favourite little pocket books as a Thank You for spending some of your time here with me. Entitled If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got To Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg applies the biblical story in Matthew 14 to our everyday challenges.
All you have to do to qualify to Win a copy is leave a comment here and share how you either:
- got out of the boat
- walked on water, or
- what walking on water would look like to you, if you could muster the courage to dip a toe in.
Because this is about getting up and getting moving, not nestling further into the sofa cushions, I'm putting a very short time limit on this Giveaway - midnight on Wednesday, June 27th - so, what are you waiting for? Come on in, the water's warm.
22 comments:
What year? ;)
Oops! Someone pointed out the error I made with the dates - I have updated it now to the correct one. Sorry!
I thought your original date was some sort of zen riddle.
Karin: Sadly, I'm not that highly evolved.
I've learned that I don't have to wear a hat, but I can if I want to, and that being gainfully retired is a good thing!
Thanks!
Ok, I don't think I've walked on water; no, I'm sure I haven't. But I jumped ship four years ago. One day I woke up and it occurred to me -- hey I could die tomorrow. And under current circumstances, I'd leave this earth having spent the most recent years working at a job that gave me nothing but money and misery. So I quit. The next day. I'll never make that kind of money again, but I'll never have that misery, either.
Hi Jenn! That's an awesome thing to learn. Knowing that you can choose is a powerful form of freedom.
Karin: This is an incredibly brave thing you did and I think it definitely qualifies as water walking. Way to step out there!
Carolynn, I am so proud of you; and as usual you are an inspiration to me!! I am trying to make those baby steps as well; got my hair highlighted for the first time and years and took a long overdue trip for myself!! Step by step i am trying to shake things up as well.... Hang in there and you go girl!!!
Jane, you're such an encouragement to me. I love that you're getting out there and living life. I also know where you're vacationing and I'm envious!
I think that I am learning how much it helps to talk to someone else about what feels like a insurmountable mountain. It certainly brings it down to a smaller size.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I jumped into the water when I put my first book up on Kindle at Amazon. Putting out work to have the world reject is tough but rewarding. The tenth will go up this week. They are all stories I wrote over a period of maybe forty years but rewrote and edited to fit my skills of today within the last year. It was hours of work but definitely something I think is important for me to have done. It's not about the money. And it wasn't about finishing the books as I had them finished (even though editing found not as finished as I thought), but it was about putting them out into the world and have others turn their noses up. Doing creative work is half the job. Jumping in the water is the tough half.
It has been a good journey ...
I like that book too. My life has been a series of getting out of the boat. I've crossed continents twice and immersed myself in two new cultures, other than my own. Getting married was getting out of the boat. ;) Becoming a mom ... Trusting. Launching SheLoves. Heck, sometimes I think it would be good to get in the boat for a while and breathe ... But it makes for an adventure.
Jen: It's so true. Just sitting with and listening with a good friend seems to be a lost art these days and yet it provides so much nourishment to both.
Rain: How exciting! And, scary! I can only imagine the mix of emotions you must have felt and feel every time you put yourself out there in that way. You inspire me.
Idelette: You make me smile. You are indeed a practiced water walker, my friend. You are also a leader with a true sense of adventure.
I got out of the boat when I started blogging and publishing my photos and art there. I have yet to "walk on water" which to me would be comfortably calling people on the phone, representing my work in a public setting and feeling comfortable in my own skin. Don't know if I'll ever walk on water in my lifetime but at least I got out of the boat.
Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
I jumped out of the boat and into the water when I quit my good paying engineering job in a big city at age 38 and moved to a very small mountain town. Since then I have run my own struggling small business, but I have never missed the corporate job or the big city.
I love your style and your blog!
Cindy: You are one of the people I admire for all that you've accomplished in your creative life. Your blog and the work you do is very professional and polished. You've set the bar high.
Farmer Jen: That's such a bold, gutsy move and I applaud you for following your heart and living your authentic life.
Everybody's had such Big Adventures! Crossing continents, quitting careers! (And surviving.)
I don't feel as if I have ever walked on water: I just kept dog-paddling with my lips just above the surface.
Out of the boat into sobriety? Husband got out and the boat overturned. THAT's how I got out of THAT boat.
Cancer/No Cancer? That ain't walkin' on water. That's just takin' it as it comes.
Takin' it as it comes is what so much of life is.
Love this book! First time I read it, I was prompted to leave one job for a more uncertain one (and that was 7 years ago and I'm still here ;) Strange how that same "water" has become more "boat" these days, so this writer's challenge has been rocking my boat, calling me to come back out on the water, because that's where all the adventure is ;)
Carolynn, your life in the last four years has been a testament to getting out of the boat:) I feel like life pushed me out of the proverbial boat [aka my comfort zone] four years ago and as hard as I've tried I can't get back in! So I am learning to enjoy the water, to stop swimming upstream, and to go with the flow.
June: I beg to differ. I think you have done and continue to do much water walking, sobriety chief among them. Don't sell yourself short.
Enitsuj: I couldn't agree with you more. Funny how we become comfortable with situations that once scared us to death.
Sharon: You certainly have climbed out of the boat a lot - just in the past year alone. You've stretched and grown in so many ways.
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