Hey guys! I want to introduce you to another contributor to The Pink Caboodle! She is one of my greatest friends, and I can’t wait for you to become more familiar with her and her work…starting with this post she wrote just for you! Enjoy
Until Next Time,
Maya <3
I’m going to let you in on a secret:
NOBODY HAS IT ALL TOGETHER
The secret is out. Christians, Muslims, whether Males, Females…or In between, Adults, Teens, Faith Leaders, the President of the United States, Bill Gates, Oprah, The Kardashians, Adele and Drake. (Whew!)
I Repeat: NOBODY HAS IT ALL TOGETHER
No one knows the secret to escaping death, avoiding heartbreak, skipping life’s disappointments, missing out on awkward moments or failures, or being 100% happy, kind, productive, positive, ambitious, humble, and loving all of the time. Do you know what the worst part of it is?
WE ARE ALL SCARED TO TELL ONE ANOTHER!
Well, now that secret is out too. (I am on a roll!) You have billions of people on the earth scared to tell Y O U that they don’t have it all together. Maybe they don’t want folks to know they are insecure, afraid, lonely, depressed, struggling with an addiction, having a hard time with self-love, have anger issues, unhappy, anxious, you name it.
But now that these secrets are out, you get the chance to
LIVE!
Here is my hypothesis: if all of these folks are imperfect in their own lives, like me, maybe it’s okay for me to own my fear. I can own my fear by saying “I’m afraid of…” and then taking action in the midst of feeling afraid. I can name that I am afraid to mess up and make mistakes and then I can ACT ANYWAY. So many others in this world feel the same fears you do!
I just started a new job working in a restaurant as a hosttess. I was so scared the first day when the manager stated a list of things I needed to know by that day! I was so scared but my little sister looked at me and said, “you have to have confidence with this kind of thing, Ashley.” The next thing I know, guests were walking in and I was seating them. It was almost an out of body experience! Guess what! I made mistakes that day!! And I got some things right too. No matter how what, I would have made mistakes, but I saw fear for what it was… simply “fear.” A bodily response that I don’t have to let stop me from moving forward.
I know that the struggle to work through fear is a tough one. I have experienced anxiety and panic attacks too yall. It’s not easy! Many of us need the help friends, family, therapists or pastors in order to face our fears. They often time need our help to face their own. There have been various steps to me getting to the point I am now. I just want you to know that there is something on the other side of fear and it’s
YOUR LIFE!
So I dare you to step out and do some of the things you have been holding yourself back from because you have been afraid of what people will think!
(Disclaimer: You can be WISE and SAFE about what you choose, while also choosing to take a step in a new direction despite the fear that has always been there.)
I am going to lead by example by naming that I am a perfectionist who fears making mistakes. This month in January I am creating the new possibility of not letting my fears control me and doing the following (by the end of the month):
1) Post a YouTube video of myself singing
2) Apply for a job I feel passionate about
3) Begin a new hobby I have always wanted to do
So now that you know the secrets, what are you gonna DO? (Yep, as in ACTION!)
A poem for the FearfulBrave
Shoutout to the “fearfulbraves” of the world
The ones who are scared but do “it” anyway
Whether “it’s” riding the metro, singing in front of a crowded room
Or saying “yes” to a new possibility
Whether “it’s” trusting in a new friendship
Trusting in yourself
Traveling alone or heading in a new career direction
Did you know that bravery and courage are not about not having fear?
You are brave and courageous in the face of fear! Fear is present and you step forward anyway.
So shoutout to the fearfulbraves of the world
And YES I’m talking to Y O U
You are the real MVPs.
You remind us all that we are small humans who can do mighty things.
You are wonderfully made
And Fearfully Brave.
-love,
Risenleigh
Follow me on instagram: @risenleigh
As I approach 50, I can tell you this: you are 100% correct. That perfect friend you think you have is not and neither are you!
My thoughts exactly! What a relief to know that none of us are perfect!
What a great topic and it is so true! Thanks for sharing!
No problem! Thank you!
What a great reminder and the perfect post to read for the new year.
The older I get the more I realize that no one has it all together, lol. When you are younger, you look at people 10, 20, 30 years older, and think they have their stuff together. And then you get 10, 20, 30 years older and realize, nope! But you do definitely get better at handling it and rolling with it. 😉
Absolutely love this. Definitely rings true for everyone!
Thanks so much!
So very true! Where I am at now is simply reminding myself of this this, and learning how to navigate who in my life is ready to admit it and who isn't.
Thanks so much! It really does!