If You Want To Fly, You Need To Try
"The crime is not to avoid failure. The crime is to not give triumph a chance." - Huw Wheldon
I can think back to many times when growing up, when I chose not to do something because I wasn't sure of the outcome, or I knew I was likely going to not be good at the activity. For example, in 6th Grade, I went to the very first day of Chorus. At that class, the teacher told us that we would need to sing out loud in front of the class. That was a hard and immediate 'Nope!' for me, and I never went to another class. Now, I am well aware that I basically have two singing voices--Loud and Louder-- and that I'm quite tone-deaf, so I'm guessing American Idol was never going to be in my future. But that first-and-only day in Chorus in 6th Grade is similar to many other moments where I chose not to 'show up' for fear of failure.
Some of those traits stuck with me right in to adulthood...but at least now I'm more aware of them. And last week I did a thing that was way out of my comfort zone. I took a riding lesson on Estelle's horse, Jack. Jack is a spunky one, and he likes to run fast and jump. I only have experience riding horses on trail rides or around in a circle at the county fair. So, this was new to me. And terrifying. But I wanted to try it. Estelle absolutely loves it and is passionate about it, and for years now I have watched on in terrifying amazement as she gallops, jumps, and on a couple occasions falls off of Jack. She gets right back on the not-proverbial-but-very-much-real horse and continues. I can truly say I'm in awe of her.
So, I signed up for a lesson. I was awkward, felt uncoordinated, and struggled just to get Jack to walk in a straight line. I didn't have the right boots on, I was wearing my ski helmet, he wouldn't listen to me, and my inner thighs are still sore, a full week later.
And I loved it. I laughed, I was laughed AT, and I immediately signed up for another lesson, which will take place tomorrow. Will I ever gallop or jump? I am not sure. But I tried...and was terrible at it...and I look forward to trying again tomorrow.
Yes, there is video of the lesson, and if you ask nicely, I may share it. Other than that, I'll just share this photo, where if you look close enough, you can see the combination of smile and fear on my face.
Who cares if you're the least limber attendee at a yoga class? Who cares if you are jogging really slowly around the block? Who cares if your kids or spouse laugh at your beginning ceramics project? Do it anyway!
Fear of failure will clip your wings. If you want to fly, you need to try!




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