CONFIDENCE

I have not taken a vacation in over ten years. Why you ask? Because I was AFRAID to travel. Afraid of whether I would be able to handle long flights or car trips. Afraid of what traveling would do to my body. Afraid that once I got to my destination, I would be so tired that I would not be able to enjoy myself. I always had an excuse when I was invited somewhere. Well that changed this year. My oldest son, Trevor, had an internship in Spokane, Washington and asked me to spend the weekend with him in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Now Coeur d' Alene is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Reluctantly (because of fear) I agreed to go. But how many opportunities would I have like this with my sons? The trip was AMAZING. I had no problems whatsoever and we crammed a month's worth of activities in a short time. I was patient with myself and found I was able to do much more than I imagined I could. Imagine what I would have missed out on if I allowed fear to control me and had not been confident. Then this week, Jim asked me to go to The Fray/Kelly Clarkson concert at the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion here in The Woodlands. For those not familiar with the Woodlands in September ... well IT IS HOT. Rather than decline the invitation (knowing that Jim would see through that) I agreed to go. It was 92 degrees and disgustingly humid. We walked a great deal from the parking lot to the Pavilion and then a LONG way up to the top of the grass where we believed there was a bathroom - just in case. (There was not.) I had a great time and I surprised myself and I think Jim too. Once again the secret is patience and not allowing fear to control you. The point of these ramblings is to NEVER let fear allow you to create artificial limitations. And, truthfully, they are nothing more than artificial limitations. Go enjoy life, and, with knowledge of your limitations and patience, GET OUT THERE! Let me tell you, it sure beats sitting in the house because you are afraid of what MIGHT happen! BE CONFIDENT! Oh, and KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -Trace