Do it scared.
I’ve been mulling over these words since I heard them earlier this week. Letting them filter down into the frightened, anxious, insecure cracks in my soul and flooding them with courage, with deep breaths of resolve, with encouraging nods of “go on, give it a whirl”.
It’s a lovely thing to be reminded that we don’t have to wait to “do” until we’re brave, prepared, confident, assured, validated, affirmed. We don’t have to put the doing on hold until we feel clever enough, talented enough, worthy enough. We don’t have to wait until we have what we’re told is sufficient health, wealth or education.
We can just Do. Try. Attempt. Have a go. Give it the ol’ College Try. (I actually have no idea what that last phrase means, but it’s folksy and I like it.)
We can do the things that are important to us. Those deep, secret, treasured dreams that give us so much happiness we can hardly bear to bring them out into the light for fear they will lose their shimmer or that others will not see their value.
As I pondered these words, I thought of the brave people in my life who are Doing It Scared.
- Quitting a hated job in pursuit of a freelance career that fills her heart with joy even though there’s no guaranteed paycheck.
- Moving to the place that feels like home even though they don’t have jobs, a house, or a secure future, just because they know it’s the right thing.
- Leaving her high-paying, prestigious job and starting a new home business because she couldn’t bear the thought of spending the rest of her life under intense stress.
- Celebrating the love she shared with her husband by going on every trip he’d planned for them before he died.
- Launching an Etsy shop with her beautiful handmade creations after twenty years as a stay at home, homeschooling Mom because she realized her dreams and goals matter too.
- Embracing a whole new way of eating and living in the hopes of healing their battered selves even when others told them it was impossible.
- Leaving an abusive spouse and building a new, beautiful, safe life with her daughter.
- Going back to school in her 60’s because she wanted to grow and find friends.
- Leaving a place of painful memories and starting over in the place that fills his soul with peace and hope.
- Hiring a life coach at age 40 because she doesn’t want to let those who told her she was worthless steal one more moment of her life.
- Facing his abusive past and transforming his life through counseling even though everyone told him counseling was a waste of time and money.
- Getting up each day and taking a shower because she’s not going to let Depression win.
It makes me cry to think of them, happy, proud tears because I know what such bravery cost them. But they did it anyway.
So I take a deep breath and I press on through all the “not good enough’s” and all the naysayers and doom-prophecy-ers and dream-underminers – especially the traitorous ones in my own thoughts! – and I Do It Scared.
- I create things I think are pretty and hope others like them too.
- I scribble Dream Lists and try to do one thing every day that gets me closer.
- I experiment with new recipes and groan at the flops and happy dance at the deliciouso ones.
- I keep going back to the doctor for tests and try new medicines and supplements and ways of eating and hope that one day, ONE DAY, we’ll find the things that heal this poor ol’ body of mine.
- I speak my dreams aloud, albeit with a quavering, hesitant voice, and feel braver and stronger every time.
- I exercise every day even though it doesn’t make a lick of difference because my body just wants to stay chubby right now.
- I reach out to the dream-makers in my life and cheer them on because we need each other.
- I go to my beloved counselor, even though it’s painful and hard, and do whatever I can to become a thrive-er not just a survivor.
- I reach out to strangers because I need friends and maybe they do too.
Is there anything you’re Doing Scared this month? I’d love to hear so we can cheer each other on. xo
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”, you are an incredibly courageous and resilient gorgeous girl Krista and I love you and will always remember the moment we met. Meant to happen for whatever reason. I’m cool with what that might look like. You are an inspiration to me on a daily basis. xx
I am SO glad we met too, @bc700f7a2dff994b6fd7a151d97f18ce:disqus ! 🙂 Who knew that one encounter at the markets would turn into such a treasured friendship? 🙂 Much, much love to you. XO
It is an important point you have raised here Krista. I too believe that we don’t have to wait till the perfect time to do stuff. In fact doing stuff while scared can lead to doing them without being scared. I remember a boss of mine when I worked in an office job. I would say to him. No I can’t do that – I am no good at that, and he would say to me: “Jan, you can do anything”. So I tried doing things that I was afraid of failing at, and found that sometimes indeed – I could do them. At other times I succeeded in a limited fashion – enough to give me confidence to try them again. All we need is someone to say – I think you can do it – all you have to do is try. Isn’t life grand 🙂 I think you can do it Krista!
What a fantastic boss you had, @budgetjan:disqus 🙂 I love that he saw your potential and gave you the nudges you needed to see how strong and smart you were all along. 🙂 Thank you SO much for cheering me on. XO
You are an inspiration Krista to all of us who are smiling on the outside. I want to dance at my daughters wedding so I can smile on the inside too.
Hugging you so tight, dear @d58b26e263bfdbd99d844b965c5cbbfb:disqus , and wishing you a heart full to overflowing with joy. XO
Go Krista! Such a positive post 🙂 I feel like I am living on pure adrenaline at the moment and scraping by each day, hanging on financially by the skin of my teeth, but it’s so incredibly exciting 🙂 If we waited until we felt ready, we’d never do anything.
I LOVE what you’re doing, dear @katyabroad:disqus 🙂 You give me so much courage and hope. 🙂 XO
whatever you are doing – and i’m meaning that literally – it’s working! very good advice to all, young and old. and p.s. loving the new format and photos! oh those plumerias!
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, @9d73767d10227efff04c7307e331304c:disqus 🙂 I have several good changes coming in the next month or so and can’t wait to share them with you. 🙂 xo
Yes. Yes. Yes!! Such a good phrase and such a good post. I needed to hear that and to be reminded that it is worth it, and to speak those beautiful things out even no one else sees their worth. I’m often too scared to try but I will remind myself of this. XO
I’m right there with you, dear @breannemosher:disqus , scared to even try. But you’ve tried so many brave things already – I know you can do this. XO
I just had my foster girl here for some days… she had been through forensic councelling to determine what they must do with her. After sharing all her brokedness with them and let go she felt deperately lost and invaded upon enough to take her back to two days on her old long forgotten drug problem and then feeling suicidal. She called to say she needed to come and could she. She has been so brave these last two years to put aside her brokedness and move on into strength and beauty. I was so sad to see her so crushed by reliving all her hurt and the two days together were healing for her and off she went this morning with new hope and strength. May she feel the fear and do it anyway… this stepping forward into hope and believing there is ‘something’ good out there for her.
Thank you for always sharing your heart and helping so many do the same~ love you Krista and pray good and wonderful things your way, especially healing to your body so it will press on into all the beauty with you. May God hold you up on every side~
Hugs
Oh @thefisherlady:disqus , I’m so glad your foster girl has you to run to and be safe with. XO My heart aches for her and the horrible pain and brokenness she is feeling. Wishing her continued strength and courage and hope as she goes forward. Thank you so much for lavishing love and compassion on all of us in your life. XO
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Yesterday was a rough day at work and this is inspiring and encouraging. I can’t fathom you having a “flop” recipe:)
I’m so glad these words were just what you needed, @tonya_renee:disqus I love when that happens. 🙂 Oh trust me, I’ve had some serious flops. 🙂 The other day I attempted pizzas made with eggplant bases. Bear and I both deemed them “revolting”. 🙂
Wow, very inspiring, it’s amazing what souls do in the face of adversity.
Thank you so much, @muppysylvester:disqus Brave souls inspire me too. xo
A great post and it has given me lots of food for thought. Mainly because it is hard to take those steps and just do it anyway. Well done to you for all that you are doing Krista and for encouraging those close to you who are doing the same 🙂 xx
It is SO hard to take those steps, @wanderingsheila:disqus Sometimes I manage it and sometimes I have to wait for a braver day. 🙂 xo
Lovely post Krista and such a good message for all. There are many people who forge on ahead no matter what and they cannot understand others (like you and maybe me too), who may be a little more placid in their approach to life. Doing it scared? Me? Hell yes. I’ve always put ‘the job’ ahead of my health and have pushed through on days when I really should have stayed home in bed. The consequences have hit me this year, like a pile of dominoes! A cold, a virus, and then two strains of pneumonia, with glandular fever joining the party! Six weeks off work from a high level project that I am honoured to be involved in… and I have to ring in sick! Since April/May I have spent time off, then gone back to work part time, then fallen ill again, then had time off, then went back part time, then fell ill again. And round the mulberry bush we go. When the doctor said recently that he wanted me to take another month off, I sat in the chair like an idiot, saying nothing, but having a mental battle over whether I should listen to him or just ask him to give me just two weeks off and allow me to go back. In the end, I accepted that health comes before job no matter what.
Thank you for your inspirational words and those beautiful photos! xo
My dear @lizposmyk:disqus , I love what you wrote for I too pushed myself for many years and how I’m paying for it now. 🙂 But I’m so proud of us for caring for ourselves NOW. 🙂 Wishing you much courage and strength as you rest and wait and heal. XO
Yes there certainly is dear Krista, and I know you know why! What a moving post this was for me to read, it reached my heart as I understand. I really hope we get to meet some time, it was such a shame we missed each other in Italy. Thanks also for your kind words on my blogging break photo. 🙂
I really hope we can meet too, dear @LindyLouMac:disqus XO You are on my heart every day and I wish so much I could sit and talk with you for hours. 🙂 One day. XO
I am a timid trier. I am currently working through, with some help and guidance, the things that, while I can’t control, I can respond to in a healthier way.
I’m so glad you have someone lovely to help you work through your hard things, @tracyaltieri:disqus That is so wonderful and brave of you. xo
I love the way you look at the world Krista.
XO Thank you so much, @disqus_2yjJojmJOE:disqus , especially for your emails this week. xo
And you. Really helpful. Thanks Krista. Have a lovely Christmas and I hope 2014 is a happy and healthy one. x
Simply wonderful F x
Thank you, @francescamuir:disqus xo
what a great way to approach life!
It is so courage-building, @tandysinclair:disqus 🙂
This is beautiful and I’m so proud of you. I haven’t done one scared thing in a long time.
Oh yes you have, @OrgasmicChef:disqus !! You’ve faced your health issues AND taken steps to heal and strengthen yourself. 🙂 I saw that bravery. 🙂
Sorry for the delay, but thanks so much for your kind words regarding Lis’s passing. I’m still so sad and missing hearing from her. That said..love your new blog layout and these fklower photos are top notch/professional. You’re gifted xo
XO You are most welcome, @Lisa_Michele:disqus Wishing you continued comfort as you mourn your beloved friend. XO I’m so glad you like the changes here. 🙂 xo
This has to be the best phrase I’ve ever heard – ‘Do it Scared’.
I agree.
Do it scared
Do it scarred
But do it!
Thank you so much Krista
In a week of incredible heartbreak for me, when trusted ones totally took the wind out of my sails, I’m doing it scared. Severing a relationship that has turned bad.
Broken, crying, but glad for the unveiling
Thank you for reading my heart!
All my love
Dearest @132fe8be674f43d4508b19c8db8df791:disqus , I’m so sorry this has been such a heart-rending week for you. XO Hugging you so tight from Oz. XO
Krista, I love your mood and positive attitude in this post! So uplifting, optimistic and BRAVE! Love the examples you gave of people pursuing the right things in life even though it might seem scary to make a change! and the photos are very appropriate and uplifting. Thank you!
Thank you so much, @juliajuliasalbumcom:disqus 🙂 I’m so glad you stopped by. I love their stories too – they definitely give me courage. 🙂
I feel like I live my life this way most of the time. Often scared I’m not enough….. not good enough, x
I’ll join you and ‘do it scared’ as well xxx
ha you made me cry xxx
sending love x
Biggest of hugs to you, dear, brave, @e8edd27f07cfca2aa11084630d6d3e74:disqus XO
Seems like every time I visit this space I’m moved. I absolutely LOVED this post, Krista. You have a way with words – of making them resonate. And what you’ve written here is nourishment, esp. for this (momentarily) weary girl. 🙂 Wishing you good health, first and foremost!
I am so glad it touched you, dear @Sosae. XO You’ve had such a long, hard illness and I wish you healing and rest so much. XO
It sounds flippant but skiing is something I’ve done scared pretty much every time I’ve done it, for 7 years! I’ve never been very good at facing my fears, but in this one little corner of my life I do and it is unbelievably liberating! I wish I could extend this to other areas of my life more…
I can’t believe you wrote this, @jeannehorak:disqus 🙂 Every time I read about you skiing I think, “Oh, I wish I was as brave as her!” 🙂 You made my day sharing how you do that scared. 🙂