Day 176

Day 176: Within the context of what I do for my job I get to talk to people that are often on the cusp of one of the most exciting decisions of their lives. Sometimes some of the people I talk to are really pumped and prepared to take that next step (whatever it is), and sometimes they are less confident. As part of some of the presentations I offer I try to help bolster that confidence, and a line I've used in the past has been something to the tune of: "Don't self-eliminate." Boy it can sure be easier to give others good advice and harder to follow it yourself...or at least it sometimes is for me. I've had to work at strengthening my self-confidence on more than one occasion. It doesn't come naturally to me all the time. It's a bad habit and to be truthful, overcoming it is part of my resolution to be more "gentle" with myself: to be more brave. Don't self-eliminate. Today I had a breakthrough. There were some things that I was really hoping for that I was really sure weren't going to be possible, and today was the showdown. Part of me wanted to just let it be, not even try to get the things I wanted and then subsequently feel somewhat justified in feeling sad, disappointed and frustrated. But then I thought...what's the worst that could happen? I'd be denied what I wanted? I'd be told no? By doing *nothing* I was already telling myself NO so what would I lose by trying? Be brave! And you know what, Friends? I was. I put myself out there. I gave it a try. The result? To my extreme delight I was granted what I asked. It was a quick but also a really powerful lesson to me: Don't self-eliminate. There will be enough people in life who will challenge you or try to stop you from getting where you want to go...you don't need to do it to yourself. Today, being kinda brave really paid off for me, and it sure made me really really Happy!! #Florida #TheWho #365happydays

A photo posted by @kaileyjane82 on Jan 21, 2015 at 7:18pm PST