Sometimes, do you ever just get tired of treading water? Of keeping your head above the onslaught of ocean waves lapping at your chin?
Over the years, I’ve found that it’s much easier to just dive in and take a swim. Occasionally, I’ll make mistakes or bungle something, but I’ve not drown yet!
That’s how it is with anything we want to be successful at. Our professions, our hobbies and interests, our goals in life–all of these require patience, commitment, and time. Rarely, do we shine at something the first minute out of the starting gate. Moreover, to truly reach our full stride, we must gain experience and insight as we approach each new task at hand. Eventually, the new task will no longer seem so new, and with practice and determination, poise and polish will come to replace the fear.
I remind myself of this as I’m entering a new chapter in my life.
I’m truly humbled by those of you who have e-mailed me privately and expressed the same trepidation that I, too, have felt on so many occasions. I want to encourage you today that if God is burdening your heart with a desire to forge ahead in a new direction, loosen that life jacket a bit, apply some fresh sunscreen, and don’t forget your shades. Your future’s about to get a whole lot brighter! (Resolving to take that initial plunge makes it easier to take the next.)
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A question for you to ponder…Are you considering “taking the plunge” at something?
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First, I need to Photoshop myself into that picture! 🙂
No new plunging in mind at the moment, since I dove into blogging earlier this year. I still have practicing and polishing to do along artistic lines, enough to keep me busy for quite some time. I always enjoy your posts, it’s like visiting with a friend.
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Patti, I find I’m still “diving in!” Hey, isn’t there a hit song out about that?! And, by the way, I feel the same way about your posts, friend.
I love your blog. The content, design and pictures. You gave great advice in saying to plunge in and not to worry about being perfect, which is something that I really needed to hear, being a bit of a perfectionist. I started writing about a year ago and have started two blogs, one introspective and one about my writing journey. Congratulations on your recent representation. I look forward to following your journey. 🙂
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Greetings, Tanya! I just jumped over to your blog, and guess what?! It’s currently lightening here, and I think my comment was lost in cyberspace! I’ll try again, but I wanted to say “thank you” for your kind words. I could write the book on “perfectionism.” Hmmm. God has way of changing our priorities, and things we think matter, really, are so miniscule compared with the “bigger picture.” Blessings to you as you write, as well! You go, girl!
Thanks for the encouragement, Cynthia. In the matter of perfectionism, I think it can be a blessing (working in a hospital) or a curse (in almost all other areas of my life). 🙂 But you’re right, that’s a book in and of itself. I have to say I love a good storm, as long as there are no tornados. Being a midwesterner, it kinda comes with the territory, literally. 🙂
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So true, Tanya!
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Hi, Tanya! Just jumped over to your Blog and tried to leave a comment again. It may be a glitch on my end, but wanted to say, “Keep on writing!”