Try New Things

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     I'm not athletic. In general, I have what my dad teasingly calls, 'The clumsy gene'. You're speaking to the person who doesn't like playing any games that involve balls, and who hardly ever dances, even with friends. Yup, my philosophy is that those type things aren't important to life, I'm not good at them, and I'd rather avoid them like the plague. I was the one in Vacation Bible School that went to the back of the line in kick ball, hoping that my team would get three outs before it came my turn to kick and who stayed where I wouldn't possibly need to touch the ball. I was the one at sleepovers who didn't join in in 'dance parties' with the others. And oooooh yes, I was very stubborn about it.

   Oh, I have the ability to do some of those things - kicking a ball is something I'm capable of - but a stubborn little bit of me still doesn't like it, and often doesn't even want to try. Why? Because I could end up embarrassing myself.

   Walk around the mall or the sand dunes dressed as a pirate?

   No problem.

    Jump around and dance in a group?

         Are you trying to kill me?

   You probably see the disconnect here.

   In life you are going to have to do things you don't like, or that make you uncomfortable whether you want to or not. My dad has said that to me many times. . . Speaking in public, playing group games, even seemingly little things like making an effort to talk to unfamiliar people my age, are all things I've had to do and often felt uncomfortable doing. *Whispers* And then I was glad I did them.

     I like to do things that are “safe” and that I'll probably be “good at” (or at least passably be able to do). I've found though, that it's good for me to do things I know I won't be good at, and be in situations that make my stomach flip-flop and mind ask, “What in the world was I thinking, trying this?!”

     Some things are hard for me to do just because I either think I won't be able to do the task well, or I am afraid of what others will think. But I shouldn't worry so much about messing up, or not having the right words, or what others may think; it's okay to make mistakes, it's good to laugh at myself, it can be fun to do things I might not be good at - and I'll never know until I try.

    Sometimes the hard part is having the guts to try. I know, I know the excuses - 'It'll be a waste of my time', 'I will look like a dork' , 'I don't really want to anyways' , 'I might mess up', 'I'll get in the way' , 'Someone else could do a better job'. There are a lot of excuses to get out of something you don't want to do so just stop.  Look at what you're saying, accept that part of what you say may be true, then try anyways. You'll build your confidence the more times you try, and be more likely to do something of that sort again.

   I've learned that when I try, often I am surprised at the results.

   I climbed to the top of a rock climbing tower.

   I went forward in front of our congregation and spoke about what I was thankful for on our Thanksgiving Eve service.

   I actually hit a ball with a bat and made it all around the bases over the course of the game and had fun doing it.

   And dancing, well, I still don't like it but hey, the world goes 'round. ;)

~Ophelia - Marie