Jump In

Do you remember as a kid, standing with hands up in a surrender position, waiting for the perfect time to duck into the jump rope turned by two friends?  Bob the head forward...lean back, repeat...until the "right" time.

We find ourselves bobbing forward in life too.  Always waiting for the "right" time to get involved, reach out, do something brave.  More times than not, we back out, thinking the timing just wasn't right, or that it's safer staying back.  Recall the the "surrender" position while waiting for the right time--not very empowering is it?

What situation have you been sticking your head into, but always ducking back out at the last minute?  Is there an unresolved quarrel that you'd like to resolve?  How about a project that never seems to get finished?  Then there's your dream of beginning a gloriously satifying, fulfilling career in a completely different field than practicality lead you to.  Think about why you pull out.  Reason?  Fear?  Manners?  Procrastination?

Do you feel a tug pulling you to help others?  When you receive that tug (through an ad on TV, a slip that came home in the kids' backpack, in church, through a friend) how do you respond?  You make decisions based upon time constraints, money realities, loyalties, emotional connections, commitments and sometimes gut reactions.  Or do you just say no...automatically...because it's what you do.  It's safe, there's no thought involved, OH and it's quick!

If you find yourself standing on the cusp of something you feel drawn to, but are unable to respond in the positive, ask yourself why you tend to pull away.  Are your reasons reasonable?  Why does this thing draw you in?  What is attractive about it?  Identifying the attraction can help you determine its value in your life.  We could be talking about a gorgeous pair of shoes or a travel destination or a career choice or a family relocation.  You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be proactive and not surrender to fear, prejudices or procrastination.

Consider taking the opportunity to consciously add value to various areas of your life.  For instance, if family time is sacred to you, but yet you want to help your community, find a way to combine them...perhaps by picking up trash on a walk or by volunteering to do a food drive with the kids.  If your business career requires you to travel extensively, but yet you wish to commit more time to developing a cooking blog, utilize your travel time to pick up local cookbooks and spend the evenings writing your blog.

Today I encourage you to jump in...not just bob and weave when presented with daily opportunities to enrich your life!