It’s Your Turn
What’s life like for you right now? Rollercoaster ride without a safety bar? If you’re in pants-on-fire mode, you’ll definitely not be reading this post. So maybe you’re somewhere more chilled-out, managing to keep your balance and hoping to stay there.
I’ve spent the past 3 days, in ‘coasting’ mode (not the friend of a hot mug…the other kind). I know I’m in that mode because I can feel a floating, reflective sensation in my body, like I’m waiting for the phone to ring, or something unexpected to happen, or a word from the universe. It’s not that I’m unfocussed, but more standing with arms open wide…. waiting!
Then, yesterday, whilst waiting and drinking coffee in Trevor’s study, I noticed a book trying to bungy-jump out from its snug position in the bookcase onto the floor. It naturally caught my eye and instantly I was reunited with a book that I’d delighted in almost 6 years ago
(see below).
I grabbed the book and dived back in…
Godin says his book is all about grabbing opportunities in life. Not expecting to get things right, or to experience a blissful ride to success, but building courage muscles by continuing to step up and take our turn, because, he says, it’s always our turn.
“If you’re thirsty enough, the world is ready for you, more than ever before” (inside cover)
“Look for opportunity…it’s EVERYWHERE…look to see where you can make a difference. It’s your turn to…speak up, stand up, build a following, make a product, create, make a connection, ask questions, learn a new skill, write or help others…”
OK, can I just drop in at this moment and add that books like this do two things to me. They thrill me and scare me at the same time. My propensity for self-doubt and playing it safe is pretty high, but I’m also up for being challenged and secretly want to be hoofed out of my moss-lined cave.
I took these things away with me into my week...
Show up on a regular basis to whatever your thing is – develop a habit
Do something that matters – life is too short not to
Stay in the game - even when things don’t work out
This week a little hoofing happened when I took some of my art work to London to hang in a gallery, a Late Summer Exhibition at Henarch Gallery, in Spitalfields (the old fish and meat market area of London). A wee encouragement for me to keep grabbing opportunities. It was then followed up by finding the powerful messages in Seth Godin’s book, which proved to be seriously empowering.
Do buy yourself a copy and when you’ve read every single page and taken your own personal notes, pass it on to a friend or family member. We need each other more than ever.
Love J x