The title is positive, and we’ll get there, but firstly I need a whinge, just a mini one. I don’t want to be a hypocrite and break house rule number 3 (‘no whinging’), because I have been banging on about rule number bloody 3 with my kids all week…all year…but, last week was a challenge for me, I was overwhelmed and exhausted and I just needed to go “blauergrhisugh?!?&?!?!!” (That’s not whinging is it?)
Break free, be you – twirly stripes amongst straight ones
The introvert inside me was curled up in ball on a big soft sofa wearing pjs at 3pm, but the small part of me that is an extrovert was shouting “whoop whoop” from the rooftops through a megaphone and wearing sparkly stiletto heels!
What happened? And where is this story going?
Well, I challenged myself, worked through it and good things started to happen. Thanks to nice people. It all sounds a bit cryptic, but it’s really not. I just pushed myself, used all my energy, faced some challenges, pushed harder, and now as the frazzled-ness has dissipated, I’m reflecting. And the conclusion slide in my head is that I couldn’t have done it without nice people. And my recommendation is to try it yourself.
So what did I even do??? Basically, for once in my life, I listened to my true inner self, I worked out what to say before I said it, and then I calmly verbalised it – it’s a big deal because I’m often accused of speaking too soon, or with too much much emotion. Anyway, the result was that (without sounding spiritual) I sent some energy into the world, and as the law of physics states, the energy came back. And along the way I re-discovered something that I tell my friends and my kids when they are hurt…that most people are nice! Simples. People are just like you and I, people are nice. (Yep, I’m complimenting myself, but also you!)
I was more than satisfied with this calm positive conversation, it took some effort, but I was happy with the outcome. But then along came a boat. A boat that I really didn’t want to be on. The fear of being trapped on the boat, seeing land but not being able to walk on it, the fear of talking to strangers, making small talk, having to be switched on – these things started to override the potential visual glimpses of Sydney Harbour beauty, the nice catch ups, the relaxed drinks. But I pushed myself, I got on that boat with 1 minute to spare, after declaring hours earlier (and on the hour every hour like a crazy cuckoo), that I would not be getting on the boat.
Palm trees enjoying the harbour, from the land
There was an element of FOMO (still rife even though I’m 41!), but I think I subconsciously did it because it was an opportunity that I’d never have again – I don’t mean the boat, nor the harbour views, I’m referring to the people. The opportunity of having good people in close proximity – trapped – ha ha! How ironic! On the boat, I had a few knowing looks, “oh, I see you are on the boat! I knew you would” – those type of looks, but they came with understanding, from nice people.
So once the boat hurdle was mastered, the thinking/talking communication style that I’d started earlier in the week continued – and it was working. The neurons in my brain were super happy, they’d been treated to a new experience and developed new relationships. And then throughout the week more and more good things started to happen, I developed new relationships with things, and with people.
Whilst running, literally three cars stopped and gave me the right of path. How lovely is that? Despite a high proportion of runners in Sydney, it really doesn’t happen very often as people race about their days and don’t put themselves in other people’s shoes. I felt each time that the driver really understood what I as a runner must’ve been going through – do not stop…or you may not start again!
Multiple multi-directional stripes on my running route
At the weekend a good friend, my soul sister, magically read through the signs and rescued me from wallowing. She took me to the source of nature’s healing power – to see a sunrise, on a beach (bonus points!) 😘
And a week after the first conversation, I spoke again. I took a deep breath and shared my pre-prepared thinking, sprinkled with emotion (not smothered), and the goodness continued.
For change to happen there needs to be some discomfort. I had discomfort, and I have changed. I’m happier and I’m grateful for all the nice people who helped.
Stripes and trees xxx
Stripes & Trees 