Nope, that one is far too conservative.
Nah, this one can’t spell.
I don’t think so; he’s not my type.
As I flip through the multitude of matches that periodically land in my inbox through my online dating subscription, I find myself eliminating men as potential partners with barely a glance.
I shut down the options much too quickly.
I eliminate them based solely on my perception of who they might be rather than learning who they really are. Don’t I want the same consideration?
Get to know me before deciding that I’m too quirky, too sensitive, too liberal.
Discover that I have a conservative side, that my quirks make me unique and that my sensitive heart means that I can love more deeply.
(I see half a dozen of my good friends nodding their heads vigorously in agreement. They have been suggesting this for years.)
As I embark upon the chapter of my journey labeled 2013, I have chosen to focus on learning to embrace life.
I want to experience more than these four comfortable walls. I want to expand my horizons with travel and adventure. I want to meet new people.
Photo credit: Mordoc on Stock.Xchng
But I’m not much of a risk taker.
Choosing to embrace life will require summoning courage.
It will require learning to pause thoughtfully before I utter an automatic “no” and consider a cautious “yes”.
I will need to fight hard against the inertia that has me comfortably entrenched on my couch, with my book and herbal tea in hand.
It will be necessary to launch myself into new situations, take on different opportunities, explore different avenues.
Of my three words (breathe, embrace and appreciate), EMBRACE has the greatest potential to change my life.
I know how to breathe and de-stress; I just need to DO it.
I know how to appreciate my life; I just need to DO it.
Embracing life flies in the face of what I know how to do: protect my heart, maintain the status quo, and live a quiet suburban existence.
I will need to expose my heart, change the ordinary path, and move beyond my suburban comfort zone.
I will need to lose sight of my shore.
xo
Kimberly
Baby steps with leaving your comfort zone will lead to a longer stride and then leaps. You will ease into this and embrace life’s adventures. I just know it. Here’s to an adventure-filled 2013, Kimberly!
Naked Girl in a Dress recently posted..45 Life Lessons, Written by a 90 Year Old
Thank you, Kelly! I’m full of hope that I can, indeed, do this! xoxo
Kimberly recently posted..Just Be Enough: Embrace this Life
Kimberly, I’m so proud of you! Acknowledging that you need to take more chances in life is the first step to living more fulfilled. (Besides, even if it leads to a few bad dates, it can make for some interesting stories!)
Great attitude for the new year!
Kirsten @One Tough Mother recently posted..Organizing a Coat Closet – The Prep Work
The bad dates do lead to great stories. But I’m hopeful that one day,there will be great date to lead to an even greater story!
Kimberly recently posted..Just Be Enough: Embrace this Life
I love that you are going to be writing for JBE this year. You have such wisdom and thoughtfulness in your words, and they should be spread far and wide!! xoxo
Kathy at kissing the frog recently posted..Our Family’s Journey Through 2013
Awww…Thank you, Kathy! Your kind words mean more to me than you know. xoxo
Kimberly recently posted..Just Be Enough: Embrace this Life
My word is related. I’m trying to be brave. To take new chances. And one of them is going through those online profiles. It’s hard not to discount them so quickly, but then what’s the point? Go you!
Roxanne recently posted..Book Review: The Willpower Instinct
Exactly what I thought…why am I even bothering with dating if I’m going to eliminate them without a second thought? Love your word — may we bravely embrace this year!
Kimberly recently posted..Just Be Enough: Embrace this Life
If you will be your true, natural, wonderful self, you will Just Be Enough in 2013 and beyond. From someone who knows you pretty well and has faith in all your words.
RCM-Mom
Thanks, Mom
Kimberly recently posted..Top 5 Clues You Watch too Much Downton Abbey
Leaving behind our shore can be so scary. Rewarding, of course, but scary in that in between place between seeing the shore and learning to embrace the waves. It makes me happy that you are open to “embrace” this year, and that you’ll be sharing it with us here.
I definitely feel like I need to pack my “embracing my life” bag with a GPS and a taser, but taking a deep breath and going only with my inner compass. Should be an interesting year
Kimberly recently posted..Top 5 Clues You Watch too Much Downton Abbey
I’m looking for courage this year. I guesss i’s similar to yours. I need to step away from my comfort zone and take risks, too. Here’s to you and me taking risks this year. I’m glad I’m not alone.
SAM recently posted..Pinterest of the Week: How to Stay Creative
And knowing I’m not alone in tackling scary things is a great comfort! Let’s do this
Kimberly recently posted..Top 5 Clues You Watch too Much Downton Abbey
Doing this sort of thing is such a bold step. And much harder than it sounds! I wish you success and happiness on your journey.
Robin | Farewell, Stranger recently posted..Four
Thank you! So far, I have succeeded several times in saying “yes” when the doubting voice in my head said “no” — also need to articulate the difference between resistance to someone/something because I’m being unreasonable and honoring that gut feeling when something truly isn’t safe.
Kimberly recently posted..Top 5 Clues You Watch too Much Downton Abbey
Well look at you here. I can’t imagine getting here didn’t take a bit of risk. And your voice, it has changed a bit. It has a confidence that I am slowly hearing more and more of. I love your word and I am so excited to hear more about the new adventures you embrace!!!
Laverne recently posted..Where the HECK has LV been?
Why, thank you, Laverne! Getting here did indeed take some level of risk. My voice is clearer. My backbone stronger.
(And you know what does that to a person? Being surrounded by those with clear voices and strong backbones! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being one of those people for me!)
Kimberly recently posted..Top 5 Clues You Watch too Much Downton Abbey
Why, thank you, Laverne! Getting here did indeed take some level of risk. My voice is clearer. My backbone stronger.
(And you know what does that to a person? Being surrounded by those with clear voices and strong backbones! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being one of those people for me!)
Kimberly recently posted..Top 5 Clues You Watch too Much Downton Abbey
We all get in the comfort zone, not wanting to see what’s really ‘out there’ in so many aspects of our lives. I need to embrace life too, there is so much I want to try, but talk myself out of it before I even get started. One of my words this year is “courage.” I need to put that into practice.
Tara R. recently posted..Walk in the woods
Yes, talking myself out of things is my forte!
Kimberly recently posted..Top 5 Clues You Watch too Much Downton Abbey