New Year - New You

Christmas 2011 is now in the history books.
The new focus is now on the new year 2012.
It seems as though every tv ad, magazine article and discussion is full of talk about resolutions. Diets, relationships, careers and on and on.
We look to outward results when it is an internal problem.
We all get stuck in a rut and begin to feel like we are sitting by watching our lives pass us instead of living in it.
Well, last year I decided I was going to step out of that rut, that comfortable box that was my lifestyle.
I have a good life, don't misunderstand. I just knew that there was more and I was needing to stretch myself and make a goal for a change.
I had always wanted to be in a play.
I am a somewhat of a shy person (yes, really, I am) and I fight that insecurity often.
That self doubt and fear keeps me on the bench of life sometimes instead of out there on the field.
Well, back to that challenge I made.
I read about a play and tryouts that were being held at a local community playhouse.
I made that my challenge. To step out of my comfort zone and go to try outs.
I thought, hey, what is the worse thing that can happen anyway?
I may get a part as "girl #1" and that was the extent of what I expected to achieve.
I mean, hey, I didn't even know if I would be any good at this stuff. I was just a person with a vivid imagination that thought being in a play sounded like fun!
I went to the tryout and came very close to walking right back out that door before signup.
That voice of doubt was screaming out how foolish I was to be there and do this.
How embarrassed I was going to be when they laughed at my attempts.
Well, with shaking steps and hands, I signed up for the try out.
I fought off the feelings that I was going to pass out or vomit or both!!! Lol.
I tried out.
That alone was such an accomplishment and I left there feeling a small victory for doing it and without expecting to be selected when the decisions were made for the cast.
Two days passed and I received a call that I was chosen to play a part (actually two!) in the play. My characters even had names and lines! :)
Now that voice of doubt really reared up once again and I thought, wow, now what have I gotten myself into! You will never be able to do this it said, as it tempted me with thoughts of freezing up on stage or fainting.
Well, I am happy to say that neither one of those happened and I ended up discovering a whole new part of myself and a passion was born that resulted in me being in two more plays after that first one. The acting bug bit me and I was never going to be the same!
I met some great new friends and gained a lil confidence too. I also felt awakened and alive in a new way.
Yes, that doubting voice still taunts me, but it isn't as loud and the enjoyment I experienced outweighs those fears of failure. Trying out was worth the risk.
I have heard it said that doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.
What kind of results are you seeking in your life?
Are you ready to stop the insanity?
Let me be the first person to wish you a Happy New Year. A New You year.
I want to challenge anyone ready this blog to pass up the same old resolution kind of mind set.
Make a goal.
Step out of that box and get off that bench in your life.
What have you got to lose anyway?
I am pretty sure you have a lot more to gain than to lose.
If you take me up on that challenge, I would love to hear what you are challenged to do.
I will be your first cheerleader in that and will pray for you while you go for it!
As ever, I am not perfect...I am simply "one of the sheep" <3