Anthony Tran – Unsplash
“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.”
~ Tom Peters
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I have always opted for the comfortable; security over risks; avoided sticking my neck out to try something new. I guess it was getting older that finally ‘got to me,’ urging me to not worry about things so much. I admitted to myself that I couldn’t change the worrisome things, and that most of the time what I was worrying about didn’t happen.
I decided to start trying new things. If I could determine what would happen if I failed – and could HANDLE that – I went ahead. I don’t like to offend people, but in this case, if they didn’t like what I was doing, it was their problem, not mine.
I started trying new things in my art room, realizing that if I were a complete failure at what I was trying, I could simply throw it away. No one had to know I had tried – and failed. All I would be ‘out’ was the money I spent for materials and my time. That decision led to some of my most enjoyable time ever. I LOVE learning new techniques, learning to use new tools, watching videos from people who know what they’re doing, and licking my lips in anticipation for another trial. (admission – I still prefer to do my experimentation alone, rather than in public.)
In Thailand I’m trying to learn to draw what I see. I’m trying to really ‘see’ things – a challenge. You THINK you’re looking, but when you try to get it down on paper, you realize how much you’re missing. I’m trying to take my time, really pay attention, and then try to recreate what I’m seeing. I’ll probably die of old age before I can actually sketch something, but I’m learning slowly and getting a bit better. I have patience with myself and have given myself the freedom to ‘use the eraser a lot’ and be satisfied when I have done my best for the moment.
This idea works the same whatever window you’re trying to open. I’ve never been what I call a good traveler. I’m afraid I’ll end up in Lower Slabovia or somewhere lost. It scares me that I might miss a connection and be stranded. My sense of direction is laughable, so I even worry here that even trying to use the GPS feature on my phone, I’ll end up having to call Brian to come find me. Pathetic, right? I’m going to take this slowly, too, BUT. I. WILL. DO. IT.
I, the wuss of the ages, challenge you to take something that scares you, opening the window to trying something new. I now know how GOOD it feels when you actually do this. As you feel the breeze on your face and enjoy the sights and sounds outside, you’ll feel better about yourself, more confident, happier in your own skin, and eager to open another.
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