Face your Fears, they say!

Do the thing! Do it afraid! Face your fears!

When I hear this advice, I picture me standing in a dark Airbnb with my husband asleep in the bedroom, my adult son asleep on the pull out in the main room. I have a book in one hand, coffee in the other, and not a single lamp. I have options.  Wake one of them up by turning on the overhead lights so I can read, or go out onto the amazing porch, sit in the swing and read by the light out there.

I take 2 steps in the direction of said porch, only to have the image of just a few hours earlier flash in front of my eyes.  Tree frogs. The nasty little buggers everywhere!  And the one that fell into my hair. Hard shudder that nearly sloshed precious coffee out of my cup. That’s a No.

I spent that morning sitting by the stove huddled under the light from the microwave, safe from tree frog invasion. Yeah, frogs are my kryptonite.

Fortunately, tree frogs are not what that advice refers to. And though it may seem the tree frogs won, they didn’t. Maybe I didn’t go outside to read. But I didn’t give up. I found a way to do what I wanted—read and enjoy my coffee.

Sometimes our dreams are like that. Do it afraid may mean small steps, not taking on all those giants at once. Start with a single step.

What dream are you holding back? Want to learn to paint? Afraid of what others will say or think? Do it afraid! Ignore the tree frogs! You don’t have to join them to beat them!  There are so many artist communities for you to find support, teaching, encouragement and love.

Rainy Day Painting Membership Group is one and just opened to new members! We are a small group so you won’t feel lost in the crowd!  Inside is a safe place for you to learn and share as we grow together! Will I see you inside?