I'm not a rock climber nor a mountain climber and on some days, I don't like climbing the stairs in my house. But, I do love to hike. And there have been times on those hikes where I have held onto the side of a flat rock wall just to cross to the other side of a cliff or when I was going down the stairs at Huayna Picchu and holding onto the mountainside because the steps were meant for feet half my size. I once was at the top of a small hill in the dessert when a windstorm blew in and I huddled behind a large rock so I would not be thrown off. My fear of falling is legit. My fear of failing has equal unsteady ground.
But, here's the thing, spoiler alert, I made it to the other side, down the stairs and safely off the hill. I wouldn't be writing this if I hadn't.
If you read my posts, you will see I compare hiking to life a lot. And when my book comes out in 2025, you'll connect those dots again. And lately, I've been clinging to the side of the flat rock wall, with the windstorm blowing and very little room between my feet and the edge. I could not be more clear when I say, I felt like the universe was ready to blow me down and away. I clung, I clung to those closest to me. I clung to hope and I clung to knowing, this too will ease up. I did not know how I was supposed to climb out of this funk.
And then, out of the clear blue, came sunshine and clarity. Softness beneath my feet and a gust of encouragement at my back. I started walking again. I've said it before, one foot in front of the other. Take pauses at the switchbacks. And man, did I ever.
And for the second time in my life, I've dug out of my backpack, that entrepreneurial spirit that was from deep down at the bottom. I've started another business. I've gained a new perspective on where I am on the path that the Universe set aside for me.
I turned to my husband and said I want to try this and his response was "I believe in you. Let's do this." I was scared to say it out loud and knowing the person who has been by my side 24 hours a day since February and my husband since April said the 7 words I needed to hear to feel confident in taking the first step on that path.
I don't always need outside approval, but it sure is nice to have encouragement inside these walls. I'm going to keep writing. I'm going to publish my book. I'm going to help small businesses achieve success with experiential in-person networking, by planning their events or teaching their teams to do it on their own. Wish me luck, come along for the ride, keep reading and look for your signs. You never know what might be up that path ahead for you too.
Writing a book AND starting a new business???? I need to catch up!!!🩷