I’ve had tons of people say “I’m so jealous that you live by so many extraordinary women bloggers.”
And my first reaction is to try and apologize.
I mean….I’m so sorry that everyone doesn’t have that opportunity.
But on the other hand….FREAK! It really is amazing. And I AM super lucky.
Today’s guest is another that I’ve had the pleasure of stalking following online, but also staying up and giggling into the wee hours of the morning with.
Shelley from The House of Smiths
Shelley is obviously a rockstar among the blogging world. And her pantry? Well it might be as famous as she is! (ps….I just want a pantry….let alone one that is cuter than 90% of the rooms in my home)
But I think, even more than her CRAZY talents in decor and DIY….people adore Shelley because of how she just says it like she feels it. And isn’t afraid to be herself. People really love that. And she is AMAZING at making us say “hey, me too!”
You’re gonna love Shelley’s word today. Rather than inspiring me to think….this one makes me want to DO SOMETHING. Like, actually get off my rear.
Which is quite a feat.
Because I adore sitting on my rear!
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I’m not even talking during big life altering events, just things as simple as…
“Oh, I SHOULD have bought those sparkly high heels, instead of playing it safe with these plain black flats”…or“I totally COULD have cut my hair into that cute little bob I really wanted, if I didn’t have such a round face”.
Until last year, I had never worn bright lipstick. Seems trivial I know. But whenever I tried to walk out of the house wearing it, I would stop myself and think…
“What if someone thinks I look like a clown???”… “What if it’s too bright? What if I get it on my teeth and don’t know it!?”
I REALLY liked the look of ”sassy bold lips” on others, but I could never convince myself to actually follow through, for the fear of looking ridiculous. Well… a few weeks ago I finally got the courage, bought myself a tube of Mac’s Full Fuchsia lipstick and wore those pretty pink lips IN PUBLIC, for the very first time.
And Guess what? Besides an eyebrow raise from my husband (who thought hot-pink lips were just an ulterior motive for something else)… nobody really said anything! The lipstick police didn’t pull me over, and not even one person assumed I had rode in on a unicycle.
I quickly realized that I was my own worst critic. The only person who held me back from doing things that I thought I couldn’t… was ME. So I pose this question…
My word for 2012 is:
The great thing about taking risks in life, is that there are only two possible outcomes:
1. You realize your risk was TOTALLY worth it, you forget about your feelings of inadequacy and become wildly successful and happy…
or
2. You fail, and have to go through the full gamut of emotions, from embarrassed to sad, hurt or silly.
I love the quote by Fredrick Wilcox…
Progress always involves risk; you can’t expect to steal second base, and still keep your foot on first.
When I started blogging I never even dreamed that it would take me to where I am today. An opportunity to experience new things, meet fabulous new people, make amazing new friends and have a full time job doing something I truly love. But in order for me to get to where I am today, I’ve had to take some pretty big risks. Until this last year, I also realized how many of those “risks” I also shy away from for fear of failing or looking stupid. It wasn’t until I found this quote about a month ago, that I really started finding the courage to change all that.
My older brother once said to me… “Nobody happy and successful got that way by playing it safe.” It was like a light bulb went off in my brain, and I realized that even in the few times in my life that I HAVE taken risks and they’ve turned out like outcome #2, where I feel totally silly or embarrassed afterwards, I’ve also walked away with something else…
Life experience and the overall great feeling of knowing that
I TRIED.
When I’m old, wrinkly and grey, I want to be able to look back at my life and know that I did everything that I wanted to do. And even if I didn’t succeed… I sure as heck tried my hardest.
So my challenge to YOU this year, is to take some RISKS. Start small if you have to.
* Wear a trendy hair accessory or try sporting skinny jeans with a pair of killer boots, for the first time.
* Call that neighbor who you feel like you could possibly be friends with, and ask her if she wants to meet up for dinner or shopping.
* Stop looking for the ‘perfect swatch color’ and just paint that DAMN WALL ALREADY!
Quit being a roadblock for yourself. Get out of your own way, and start living a fuller life.
Just simply making the decision to start taking more risks…
is half the battle.
Of course Miss Shelley just says it in a way….a Shelley way! I love it!
And PS I totally rocked some red lips this summer, Shelley. I couldn’t have felt more self-conscious if my naked bum was flapping in the wind for all to see. But it was pretty freeing. (the lips…NOT the rear) And now I like to sport them every now and then. Just to prove a point to myself. She’s right. You should RISK it!!!!
I’m sure you already do follow all of Shelley’s genius over at The House of Smiths. But just in case you don’t…run, don’t walk. To a daily dose of inspiration.
(ps…I’ve had a lot of people share their One Word posts with me via comments or e-mail. I wish I could feature them all! But, I promise at the end of the event we’re gonna have a place for EVERYONE to share! Deal?)
