Stepping out of my box -The 1st Steps
At the beginning of each year or at the start of each day someone may ask you, what is your word or intention that you would like to set for yourself? I’ve never been one to participate in this practice until the past two years. I needed something to look forward to, something to push me out of my “hermit at home” regimented bubble (just so you know, I really like it in there so it takes a lot to get me out.) It’s my safe place, I can control “most” things and I don’t have to be anyone but myself! I’m also not as fun! ha
So, I set my word, EXPLORE! What I love about this word is that I can use it in so many different areas of my life. Explore (Adventures) places, things to do, new people! Explore (Find) new ideas, continue learning, start new daily practices! Explore (Discover) who I am, who do I want to become in this next phase of my life, what parts of myself have a I lost and how to find her again? I want to open my mind to new possibilities and let these explorations lead me. To quote Don Walsh “Exploration is curiosity put into action.” If I want to see change, I need to explore.
It took me awhile to get started but it began by changing my workout routine. I wanted to explore new workouts, find different ways to move my body, and confuse my muscles. In the process, I rekindled old friendships and met some fantastic new people. During this transition I was asked if I would teach a spin class, no one else was available to sub. NOW WE ARE EXPLORING way out of my box! This was scary, new and I’m not comfortable being in front of people. I reminded myself to stop saying NO to new opportunities and not taking chances. Through this process, I was quieting my fears and fighting back the negative voices in my head telling me I would fail, that I wasn’t good enough, or I didn’t know what the hell I was doing! BUT I did it, I told myself it was an act of service and that no one was giving me a grade or judging me. I may not have done the best job, but I did it, and that was my goal!
The next step was when I was prompted by a social media post from a local coach who helps women to see their vision, encourage one another and helps them in their journey of becoming entrepreneurs. She posted a list of retreats in various places that she would be holding in the next few years. There were several that I would love to have signed up for but one stood out to me. God had been telling me over and over that I need to get to the desert for hiking, meditation and yoga. In my mind I was telling myself to take this trip on my own, again that is my safe space. I had researched some retreats but nothing felt right. Then one day an adventure just happened to pop up in my social media feed and I didn’t hesitate! It felt right but scary which is exactly how exploring should feel. You’re navigating a new space, creating awareness, and going into the unknown, BE curious. A women’s retreat in the desert, where we will hike, meditate, connect, do yoga and work on ourselves! EXACTLY what I was looking for! Adventure #1 for this year on the books for September. Creating opportunities and things to look forward to is so important!
Signing up for the first retreat fortunately led me to another one. The dynamic lady who will be leading the Women’s retreat for my first adventure and I met for lunch one day. I wanted to get her insight on how she navigated working a full-time job and coaching on the side. During our discussions I mentioned how God kept telling me to get to the desert, to hike, to be in nature and explore. I told her that there is something deep inside of me that longs to be healed or something I have yet to learn, but I just don’t know what it is. I had the feeling that in order to get to where I want to go there is some internal work left to be done. Immediately she said “Oh, I have to connect you with a friend of mine who coaches people through adventures in nature!” Immediately after our lunch, she connected me with another superb woman who leads hiking, kayaking and camping trips in places like Alaska, San Juan and the Grand Canyon. Within a few hours I was on the phone with this “Live Boldly” badass discussing an upcoming retreat in the Grand Canyon! Stay tuned to hear more about that EPIC adventure in my next “Stepping out of her box” blog!
Much love, Go Explore!
T