Rushing

I injured myself recently. I wish I had a more heroic story, but I don’t.

His discomfort was evident the moment he walked in the door. He walked in anyway. He fumbled with his mat, strap, and blocks. He continued anyway. He didn’t seem to know what to do or how to orient himself. He found his way anyway. His body carried an extra 200+ pounds. He found his way into the room anyway. He was disheveled and distressed. He carried on anyway.

Forest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” 🍫 I have a slightly different version… I believe life is like an onion. 🧅 Sometimes, all you can do is peel it back, one layer at a time. And sometimes, it makes you cry! 😭

I was scared out of my mind the first time I walked into that room. My thoughts were riddled; my body was rigid and tense.

I often wonder why people say the things they say. I wonder if we truly understand the power of something so common and so small as the words we use and the impact they leave.

In listening to myself speak about 2024 goals and aspirations, I quickly realized that I had fallen prey to some faulty, magical thinking.

Every day in December, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try something different. I took 31 opportunities to stretch into the unfamiliar in both big and small ways and write about it on SM. It seemed simple and fun.

I call it a point of impact. It’s a moment that creates an impression, often a negative one, that shapes your beliefs, the way you feel about yourself, and the ways you function in the world.

One year… it’s hard to take in really. I remember the moment life came to standstill. It imprinted my spirit.

A few weeks ago, I made a mistake. A public, professional mistake the caused a wave of embarrassment for me. Chance are, you were witness to this mistake.