“Courage isn’t about knowing the path, it’s about taking the first step.” ~ Katie Davis
One of my book chapters is called “Begin Anywhere.”
Many folks never follow their heart’s desire because they are unsure how to take that first step.
We have created such fear around starting things, something I attribute to our permission based school systems. Hell, most kids have to ask to go to the bathroom.
Ridiculous.
My second grade teacher, who went on to start the area’s first Montessori school, told us on day one: If you need to go to the bathroom, just get up and go.
He was one of the few teachers in my elementary school years to let us do that. I always remembered him not only for that but also for his more inspirational classroom. Even young children have a right to an awe-inspiring educational experience. It was a long time before I ran into another teacher like him.
Most of them were more interested in keeping us quiet and subservient. Not sure the point of that, but it brought out my rebellious side even more as I got older.
One of the best things I did was sign up for an introductory theater class after college.
I looked at the catalog for awhile, circled the class, looked at it some more, and then signed up. Was I a little bit nervous? Yes. But I went.
Instructor was awesome and it was a ton of fun. I don’t think anyone missed any classes.
No one was bored. We were all inspired. Great acting exercises.
Then I took another one of her classes. We did an actual scene and to this day I remember some of my lines. I totally got into my character Rhoda.
She said, “I didn’t see you up there, I saw your character.”
And that class or two gave me the courage to take steps toward other neat activities.
Until it becomes second nature to take these steps in the direction my heart wanted me to go.
Makes life a lot more fulfilling to bust out of your rut!
~
Feel More Alive,
Giulietta