This summer has been particularly exciting and rewarding for me. Here are a few highlights:
- I went on a REAL beach vacy, and by real, I mean with chairs, umbrellas, buckets and shovels, food, and I wore a swimsuit for what is probably only the fifth time in my life.
- I accepted a new position doing what my Daddy has described as my “perfect dream job”.
- I was asked to sit on the Planning Committee for the 4th Annual Mompreneur Event in September hosted by The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship. Then, I was asked to present on the topic of goal setting and prioritizing. That will happen on September 20th. Get your tickets here, if you want to see how I do. LOL
- My family and I went to see my sister and her family and she had a BBQ and Pool Party. Wearing that swimsuit, again, I got in the pool. FYI, I can’t swim.
- Last night, our book club, the Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club, hosted Mary Laura Philpott, author of the memoir in essays, I Miss You When I Blink. I can’t even begin to tell you how nerve-wracking, but thrilling, that was. We have been planning it since May and I have been dreaming about having an author participate in a book discussion since we started the book club three years ago.
- I completed my 95th consecutive day of exercise yesterday.
As I was reflecting back on these wonderful and new experiences, I realized that every single one of them existed because I did it, with fear. I talked about this in April here. And as I contemplated it further, I realized that the truth of the statement:
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.”
– George Addair
A day at the beach in a swimsuit despite being afraid of being too fat to wear one. Accepting a dream position while handling the negativity my mind always throws at me that I am not good enough and that I will most assuredly fail. Sitting on the Planning Committee despite thinking I have nothing to contribute and then agreeing to present while wondering if I am really the one that will be the best for the topic. Getting in a pool while wearing that swimsuit, again. Reaching out to Mary Laura (yes, she said that I can call her Mary Laura) to participate in our book club afraid that she would say no, then she said yes and I was afraid that no one would show up and that I would make an idiot of myself. Honestly, starting the book club was scary three years ago. When I started the #RunningWorld Running Streak the Sunday before Memorial Day, my goal was to run a mile every day for 40 days. I didn’t think that I could make it but, like Forrest Gump, I’ve just kept going.
All of these things have turned into experiences that will be included in the highlight reel of my life. And every single one of them would NOT have happened if I had let fear decide, for some insane reason, that we weren’t going to do it.
Now I get it. Everything I want is on the other side of fear. If I am afraid of it, more than likely, it will be a very rewarding experience.
What you want is on the other side of fear. What do you want?
I’m linking up with Emily P. Freeman and her community to share what we learned. Head there to see others. You can learn a lot. And you can check out what I learned this Spring, last Winter and Fall, if you’re so inclined. They seem to be building on each other.
shannan enjoys life! 
I don’t think I wore a swimsuit last year at all. We took a beach vacation with our grown kids this year so I knew I needed an updated suit. I bought some new ones that are actually comfortable (and cover well) so maybe I won’t be as unlikely to wear one in the next few years. 🙂 Looks like you have lots of exciting things ahead! Congrats on 95 consecutive days of exercise. That’s amazing.
Thank you, Lisa. And thank you for being here.
Great job at keeping up with exercising. I need the kind of disciple in my life that you have. 😉
It’s been a challenge but having external accountability helps me out tremendously. I am an Obliger. Thanks for being here and commenting.
Very inspiring post. Thanks for the challenge to try, explore, and experience!
You’re welcome. Thank you for being here and commenting.
A real beach vacation is amazing, isn’t it?!
And what is this perfect dream job? Sounds like good things are on the horizon!
Hi Rebecca! Thanks for being here. And thanks for asking. I am serving as Event Manager for Anne Bogel of modernmrsdarcy.com
Congratulations on 95 days! You are amazing!
What a great idea to count consecutive days. I think that would motivate me as well.
It is motivating to me. I really don’t want to break my streak! Especially now that it is so close to 100. Give it a try and see how it goes. Thank you for being here and thank you for commenting.
Shannan, so fun to meet up here at Emily’s place! I love this right here: “…every single one of them existed because I did it, with fear.” Thank you for the inspiration to move forward, even if we’re scared. Considering for myself what’s on the other side of fear.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Kelly! Let me know what you come up with.
Shannan, hi! Isn’t it amazing when we think how much we missed because we came from a place of fear.
Love your post …
Thank you, Linda. It’s amazing and a little sad sometimes. I don’t want this to be the reason that I am sad. Too many other reasons for that in the world. Thank you for being here and taking the time to comment.