I’m hosting my first event next weekend and the truth is I’m afraid. I’m afraid that I’ll have to live up to the potential I’ve been carrying around for years. I’m afraid I’ll get to She Who Believes the morning of and I won’t arrange the tables correctly and people will be squished. I’m afraid I’ll stutter and trip over my words and I won’t be as charismatic at public speaking as I thought I was. I’m afraid I’ll forget something. I’m afraid the catering will suck. I’ll afraid people will leave my event feeling unfulfilled and uninspired after a wasted afternoon. I’m afraid people won’t believe. But, the truth is that I’m here. The truth is that I feel the fear and I’m doing it anyway. The truth is that the world dared me to put my whole heart into something and I did.
Truth.
You are powerful beyond measure. You can have, do, and create absolutely anything you put your mind to.
Dare.
I dare you to believe it. I dare you to take that belief and run with it. I dare you to open a new tab right now and get started on whatever it is that has had a hold on your heart since before you could remember.
Truth.
You’re afraid. That’s why you’re still on this page and not in that other tab searching for grad school programs, self-publishing how-to’s, or NYC apartments. You’re scared out of your mind. You’ve listed the reasons why you can’t, why you’re not ready. You’ve listed what you’ll need to be ready. You’ve drawn out a timeline, and kudos to you on the detail! But all signs point to not yet, so that’s where you’re opting to stay.
Dare.
I dare you to take your timeline, your best excuses, all of your reasons why this just won’t work right now and burn them. Or maybe neatly fold them into the trash bin if you’re at a location where personal bonfires are frowned upon.
Truth.
Your idea of readiness is a myth. You will not swing your legs over the edge of the bed one Tuesday morning and magically be ready. The sooner you understand that, the better for all of us. Readiness does not promise any comfort. Readiness is not grabbing your keys with a gratifying sigh after an expensive meal. It’s your foot on the starting block: head up, hips high, feet set. If you’re uncomfortable, if you’re anxiously awaiting the starting pistol, you’re ready.
Dare.
Go.
I’m soooo proud of you! You are doing great things and I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors my soul sista! This is YOUR year and I can not wait to see what else you accomplish.
Eeeeeek! thank you soul sistah! Can you believe where we were in January, writing e-mails back and forth about depression and such. Thanks for sticking it out with me! 🙂
Truth: You are beyond gifted and this is your moment to shine and flaunt it.
P.S. did I peep NYC apartments?! [ shimmies viciously ]
Truth: love my YettiBear.
I just found this blog this morning and to read this is surreal. I pray for your event, that it will speak, roar and inspire your audience. I pray that there will be many more, but bigger and better because you faced your fears and burned them with the truth within you.
Hi KeKe! 🙂 Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. Your words, the words of a complete stranger, mean the world right now. Thank you for reading.
I’m hooked on your blog. You have such a beautiful way of writing! Hope your event goes well! x
Natalie! Thank you! Glad we got to connect!
Too many things this is stirring up, so much to say but i’ll only say thank God i found this/you.
Thank you.
Wow. Thank you for this comment. You said so much in so few words. I’m here. 🙂