Deep breath. “Mom should I do this?” Just do it. (There’s a reason that’s a slogan.) Sometimes you just need to go for it. So I stood in my kitchen and I did something that I felt was so embarrassing but that I really did want to do. I did the crazy thing. My mom says I get it from her.
But my phone wasn’t sending the message I was trying to deliver. As in NO internet connection. We have wifi but it wasn’t working, not even for a few seconds. “How bad do you want this?” she asked. So I took a walk and found some reception.
During that walk all I could think about was this quote from the film We Bought A Zoo: “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”
On this Monday here’s what I want to encourage us with. Please pick up the phone. Make that call, send that letter, go see that person. Talk to the stranger, write the scary dream email to that person you’re not sure will even read it. What’s that thing you’ve been longing to do but fear is holding you back? What’s that thing that you’re not doing because it’s awkward and embarrassing. Sometimes it takes 2o seconds of embarrassing bravery.
I don’t know what will come of my 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery but I do know I’m glad I did it. Maybe you’re not like this but when I don’t send the email or say something I wanted to I always keep wondering what might have happened. Sure, you might not get the outcome you’re hoping for but I can guarantee you that something great will come of it. You will get stronger. Keep flexing your courage muscle in 20 second intervals. You won’t regret it. You won’t leave things unsaid and undone that you’d wish you’d said and done.
So shoot me an email (misselaini [@] gmail.com -remove brackets and spaces) or leave me a comment below telling me what you need to do with your 20 seconds of insane courage. I’m here rooting for you!
Really awesome post! And I love “We Bought A Zoo”, there were a few quotes I really love from that movie, the one you mentioned being my favorite of all.
Recently, I took a leap of bravery. I’m a musician and I haven’t shared much of my own music online yet, but I recently released a song, which then lead to an idea. I decided to make it a project to release a song a month for the rest of the year, as well as sharing little tidbits from my childhood or anything that reminds me of my younger years. At the beginning, I was doubting myself. I was thinking, “Well, can I really do this? Will I make it? Will people like what they hear?” Finally I slapped myself out of it and told myself, “It doesn’t matter! As long as you’re doing something you love in order to inspire other people, that’s all that matters.”
My constant philosophy is to just do your best at what you do. It might be scary at first, and you might fail, but in the end it’ll be worth it!
Here’s a link to my project: http://thebestdaysproject.tumblr.com/ 🙂
Thank you Jen!
Okay that is so awesome! I love how you have taken the step to get to where you want to be. I also love that you’ve created doable goals. You’ve got this! I’m totally cheering you on over here and I’ll check out your site. 🙂 Your philosophy is right on. I appreciate you sharing with us and taking the time to comment. xxx