“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are.”
―
Bravery happens in the night.
On Tuesday, I found myself in a late night tête-à-tête with my husband, sharing my concerns over something he had intended to do. Initiating the uncomfortable conversation which Lady Gaga creatively puts it as “little bites of bravery”. My typical response in the past would have been to go along with it and bear the fallout.
Surprisingly, he wasn’t upset or annoyed at what I shared. Neither was I judged negatively or were my concerns dismissed in a cavalier way. On the contrary, it made him rethink his course of actions. In that moment, I thought to myself: I am glad I stuck around.
On Wednesday, I received a round of very personal and heartbreaking texts. Without postponing my to-do list for the day, I had to recalibrate myself emotionally – (drop a request in the comments section below if you’d like to know more.).
The lesson for that day?
To be useful to anyone out there, learn to feel grief and hold it lightly.
Bravery also happens during the day, either with people watching or without. In fact, bravery happens everyday and everywhere if you are willing to let it.
On Thursday, it was time to take the plunge. I walked into the house at 7:25 am only to to be greeted by my husband’s cheery voice and question:
” SO, are you ready?”
I’ll skip sharing the short exchange here. My husband is an amazing coach (Click to read his blog here and hear how he sounds or looks like here.).
The result was:
I found myself swimming 15 laps today after not swimming for almost 8 years!
Any coach who is worth his money will stretch you further than what you think is possible for yourself. Since I had not been in the water for a while, I chose the shallow end to swim (see picture above). My husband is not a barker (thank goodness!). In his non-bullying way, he nudged me to consider the deep 10 foot end of the pool. YIKES.
Another brave to conquer.
Two lifeguards were on duty. It was obvious I was scared. 10 feet is a lot of deep water. It really didn’t feel any easier that their eyes were on me. With no one else to do my job, I did my deep water lap.
Happy to report: I did it – two laps. Yay – I felt like Michael Phelps!
“If you are too careful, you are so occupied in being careful that you are sure to stumble over something.”
―
Which is what I am at times. Too careful.
As life would have it, I was again greeted with an act of bravery in the picture above. If you look closer, you would notice a group of people. What you don’t see clearly (this is deliberate on my part) is just how old many of them were.
Yet each one of them – so BRAVE. Doing their water exercise with their instructor in the 10 foot deep pool. Eeesh – I need to be chided and have them set me that example and inspiration.
So, no matter!
Still I create.
Still I venture forth.
Doing my bites of bravery.
I know I am only just beginning although it feels like a ton of work is already done at Simple Daily Joy.
A few are kind to jump in together with me. Thank you for buying my products and leaving me a positive 5 star review!
Honestly I am not sure I would be doing water exercise when I am white haired and move like a snail. Yet those ladies today got themselves out of their houses and did something really good for their health and mental wellness. A true inspiration.
Yes, it is hard to run online shops alone. Without a team to lend a different pair of eyes or brainstorm new ideas, I am not able to catch my mistakes as quick.
Still I go and do. Check out my journal collection on Instagram. Follow for updates – I would love your feedback there!
This month, I am concerned if promoting 28 varieties of Simple Daily Joy journals may be a bit too much. My heart says yes, but not a day goes by without my head advising me to play it safe and have a slow release of these products. I haven’t figured out what the logic behind the mass release is yet. But from where I am, launching my full collection feels like something to do now and do big.
Joy can be simple, no matter what, on a daily basis.
Go ahead, tend to something lovely. Create beautiful things. Share that joy of yours!
I hope you enjoyed learning a little about me, the person behind this online shop.
Find Simple Daily Joy products at my online shops:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimpleDailyJoy .
Redbubble: https://bit.ly/SimpleDailyJoyRB
I hope you find something you like there!
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