Be Open to New Adventures
Hindsight is a wonderful thing! It allows us to look back and recognize how we could’ve made a different decision, chosen a different path, that might have offered a more satisfying experience. But we shouldn’t limit ourselves for fear of an unpredictable outcome. That would stifle so much - yes, it might prevent some bad things but it would also prevent a tremendous amount a life-changing experiences.
Like my journey in bellydance…In 2003, I had NO idea was lay ahead of me when I attended my first class in the small living room of a historic home that has been converted into a lovely birth center. Now (in hindsight lol) it seems so very appropriate that my dance was “birthed” in such a setting, with my best friend learning to hip bump alongside me.
Pursuing growth has always been a natural instinct for me. When I’m feeling mentally frustrated by my circumstances, I seek out the “why” in books and self-reflection. Many people like journaling but I’ve never felt very safe in putting my deepest thoughts down where others might read them (yes, I see the irony here!). Instead I spent a lot of time in my head and often talking to myself and my pets (who rarely judge). When I started bellydance classes, I had no clue at the tremendous amount of growth that was in store for me.
I’m always been a shy person, at least initially. So, I’m an introvert much of the time BUT, for some reason, I’ve never been afraid to perform. Nervous, yes. But not afraid. I hate small-talk situations but I’m fine speaking in public, even to large groups (it helps if I have a topic to speak about). Weird, I suppose.
My experience with bellydance performances has been similar, ever since my first recital to my last competition. Maybe, it’s the adrenaline. They say that fear and excitement are actually housed in the same region of the brain - it’s just our mental perspective that decides which emotion we are experiencing. Perhaps, I naturally choose excitement… at least when I know I’m probably not about to die. To be completely transparent, I have almost died a few times (future blog posts?) so my perspective may be skewed a bit.
The point I’m trying to make is that stepping out of our comfort zones, and doing something different, can offer some really incredible opportunity. My life would be drastically different if I’d never gone to that first bellydance class with my best friend. If I’d thought bellydance was only for a certain type of person (aka NOT for a dessert-loving mom of two little boys), I’d have missed out on so many amazing friendships, accomplishments, and important lessons.
So, throw caution to wind (sort of)! Stop overthinking, start doing, and enjoy the adventure.
P.S. A few things I don’t like? Celery, dusting, and proof-reading. I dislike typos/grammatical errors BUT I suck at catching them. If you stick around, consider yourself warned :)
