begin with today

Toe dip

This morning I drove down Pacific Coast Highway to be with her radiant light and energy for the first time in the flesh. With giddy anticipation in my sights and the gorgeous view of the shoreline to our left, my daughter Isabella quickly noticed and verbalized that we weren't turning into our normal sea spot.

We're going to a new beach today, to meet new friends, I told her.

No, I don't want to go. I want my old beach. What if the new one is scary? She asked.

I observe this pattern in her often. She is afraid to try new things but once she does she of course experiences the world widening all around her. Interestingly enough, I also observe that even though she experiences these a-ha moments and says afterward each time that wasn't so scary after all, it doesn't make the next new adventure any less frightening at first.

When we arrived at the "new" beach and she met her new friends she was in absolute heaven, any trace of fear was left on the road and she couldn't wait to play in the waves where she spent the entire day.

I took this photo of her as she played, observing her running out towards the water and then running back to the sand as the waves crashed, laughing and screaming the entire time, exhileration in her every step.

I had no plans to post this particular photo until I came home and read your comments to my giveaway post late tonight. Somehow the visual of her dipping her toe bravely, yet somewhat hesitantly, into the water felt like the right pairing for these words. It reminds me of the conversation she and I had on our drive this morning and represents the bigger picture of this post as a whole.

As comments began to trickle in on my giveaway post I've been sitting with each one of them. My initial reaction is to want to reply to each one but there is also a huge part of me that is being guided by silence and simply wanting to listen, deeply, to all that was shared in each of your heart truths. I am just wanting to hold this space for each of us - my stories are your stories and I am just wanting to honor all that is being held here.

I thank you for finding safety here in your sacred sharing and I thank you for wanting to participate in this course and I thank you for widening my world today. If I had 30 spaces to giveaway I would, but the name that was drawn was.... Kristina Wingeier!

My reply to Isabella after she asked what if this new beach was scary was this: Baby, it's okay to be scared, everyone gets scared. But when you are scared and try something new anyway, that is where you find your courage. Your courage is where you will discover your most beautiful life. I will always encourage you to do something that scares you each and everyday and I will always be right there with you when you do.

Begin with Today.

*Speaking of doing something that scares you each day, registration will close at midnight tonight for Getting Naked: A photographic journey into Now. Tomorrow I Get Naked by sharing something I've lived, built and nurtured for a year - but have been living the lessons for years in hindsight.

I am standing at the intersection of vulnerability and gratitude and feeling the winds of change like a warm breeze wildly tangling my hair. Bowing to those who registered and are trusting and willing to come along for the ride. I'm ready. Let's do this.

Comments

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I found myself nodding in agreement and shared experience as I read this Stacy. Skye does it too. He's scared to try new things; he really wants to have fun but staying safe is a huge priority too.

I think it's his trust in me and my words of encouragement that help him come out of his shell when he's scared. I don't think that changes much as we get older either. When out inner voice of encouragement gets drowned out by fear we can trust that our friends will be there to put their toe in the water too, to show us that actually ~ we wont be eaten by sharks and the water feels just wonderful!

It's such a blessing :)

Thank you for sharing this sweet story. It is an excellent reminder!

And congratulations to Kristina!!!

Posted by: Sarah | 06/23/2012 at 11:46 AM