Stepping Out...

I am aware, this is not the most attractive selfie I could have taken and my project isn't truly "finished". -THAT'S the point of this post!

Have you ever wanted to do something in life and there's a nagging holding you back? Maybe it's the fear of... "What if I can't really do this?" Or ..."How do I get started?" ... "Am I sure I'm ready?" ... "What if _______?"

THAT is where I am right now launching into the next phase of a personal dream. All those thoughts have been holding me back from fully moving forward. Then, oddly, a big weekend project inspired me to just GET STARTED. And here I am.

I had leftover landscape stones, yard branches that needed burning, and I missed having a fire pit. Ahh, perfect combination! Except I had absolutely no idea how to build a firepit.

So I did my research, gathered all the items I needed, and went out to the yard to start with Step One. The dreaming part was the most fun. Picturing a future patio, planning the layout, smelling future barbeques, mmm, and deciding where the firepit would fit best. Per my YouTube tutorial, I laid out the stones in the spot exactly where the firepit would go. ........And alas, there came the procrastination, time conflicts, etc. Then the day arrived when I simply had to take the first step.

I didn't quite know how it all would work out, but I grabbed the shovel anyway (and my old fashioned headset, because how can anyone work without radio headphones?). I went to the first stone of my layout and popped that shovel right through the dirt like I learned. And thus, Step One. It was tedious, hard, time consuming, and Florida hot! -And all the while I was hoping to goodness I didn't mess it up.

After the first day, though, I was so proud to see my bottom layer of stones register "level"! By the end of Day 2, I had the base packed down and was able to stack the stones. This allowed me to see where I needed to shift things and it gave a definite glimpse of what I could accomplish!

This project was such a picture of the new step I'm taking in life, I decided to use it as my first post.

I've had a dream to write a book for years. After a long marriage, I became a single-again adult. That experience comes with challenges most people don't realize and certainly don't talk about. I want to write a book to encourage others in this situation, as well as make myself available for life coaching. I want to help people know they are not alone, and they most certainly are not crazy, although it can feel like it at times.

As you know may know, I learned all about book publishing with my dad's poetry book. (Mission accomplished.) However, I also learned there is a marketing aspect to book writing and coaching I hadn't realized. Ugh! I am happy to market for you all day long, but for myself? That is so not me. This means I have to keep up a website and social media. If I meet you in person, we can chat privately together all day long. Social media with the public, though? That is definitely my personal stretch zone!

What did I say about that firepit project? It took a bit of hard work (which is an understatement) with a dose of uncertainty. But ohh wow, how exciting to see that I actually did it! So here I am, challenges and all, not quite perfected, yet taking that Step One to following my dream of writing and coaching. I'm putting myself out there. After all, how did I think I was going to encourage the world, if I didn't open the door to step into the world?! - By the way, I'm discovering it's not as scary as I thought. It just took getting started.

What dream or desire do you have where fear might be holding you back? Step out with me and let's encourage each other together. If I can do this, you can, too!

If you would like support getting started with your dream, reaching a goal, or talking through a life challenge, please call or email. I offer Life Coaching with a free consultation!