On Risks

I'm doing some research on taking risks for the Future Thinking program I participate in.

I found this video of Diablo Cody, screenwriter of "Juno" and Ellen Page, the lead actress in the film on taking risks.

I love what Cody says about her philosophy of risk: "I'd rather fail at doing something off the wall than succeed at something pedestrian."

For me, I notice that sometimes I can be risk-averse. Because I'm afraid. Because I don't want to fail. Because I don't want to look foolish.

But I also know that averting risk means playing it safe. And playing it safe means no growth, no expansion and no opportunity to stretch yourself into bigger things.

One of my favorite quotes is from Anais Nin:  

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

I'm learning that taking the risk and moving beyond my comfort zone allows me to bloom more boldly into my life. And I'm beginning to see risk as a friend who is challenging me onto bigger and bolder ways of being in the world.

Tell me, where in your life you are ready to take a risk?

Flowering Fridays: Thistle

  

 Thistle at Ridgeview Farm, Arc of Appalachia Preserve System

I snapped this photo of thistle during my trip to Highlands Nature Sanctuary two weeks ago. It feels like forever since my visit, and I still feel a bit off-center since I've returned.

I'm noticing some old habits creeping up — overworking, taking on more than I have time for, ignoring my self-care, my creative time and my body in order to get "work" done. And as a result, I've been feeling prickly like this thistle as I seek to re-center myself and to shift back into balance.

Thistles adapted their prickly exterior to protect themselves from herbivores. Look, they seem to say, but I'm warning you…don't touch!

I hold that our true nature is to blossom boldly and shine our light into the world. But I also recognize that sometimes having some protective prickles can help us to set boundaries and connect with what it is we really need.

I see my "prickly-ness" of late as protective. It's a cue from my inner wisdom that I've neglected to water my inner flower (again!). 

My opportunity is to go within and find out what parts of myself I'm protecting and what I need to honor in order to be softer and smoother again.

Looking at my prickly-ness in this way, I see the beauty and purpose of it. And for that, I'm grateful.

Tell me, where in your life are you feeling prickly? And what are these prickles protecting you from?

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My brother is here now (yes, it's been full house this week, but great to have him here, too!). I'm heading to Highlands Nature Sanctuary/the Arc of Appalachia for a quick two-day trip to attend a meeting with volunteers helping with publicity and outreach projects. I am working on making a video slideshow of my photos from two weeks ago (I'm a beginner at a lot of this technology stuff, but I love to learn!)…which I hope to complete early next week. Be back soon!

With New Eyes

 The ethereal moon jellyfish at the Discovery World Museum

This week my sister was in for a visit. (Love her so much!)  Part of the fun we had together was experiencing two Milwaukee gem's — the Discovery World Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum. 

Seeing things with new eyes always opens up my creative juices. 

At Discovery World, I found inspiration in the innovation of Les Paul, these dancing jellyfish, the myriad of designs for pulleys (of all things!) and touching the spiny back of a sturgeon.

At the Milwaukee Art Museum, their Act/React exhibit of interactive art and seeing the Sensory Overload op art exhibit had my head spinning with possibilities of color and composition, the use of technology and engaging your audience.

Both of these experiences reminded me that inspiration is all around us. We just need to stop, experience, and notice.

Tell me, where can you find something to look at with new eyes in your life?