Rocky Reflection
Isn't it strange that as people get older, they become more afraid of the unknown? Today, I'm going to be listing three experiences from way back in the day when I was thrown out of my comfort zone into the unknown, and I turned out just fine. No bruises, no hurt ego.
Because I have no photos from these experiences (aka I choose not to subject myself to this sort of embarrassment), I have graciously provided some photos from my hike at Red Rock Canyon and Seven Magic Mountains a couple weeks ago. ;)
Running in Track
If you know me at all, you probably know that I absolutely hate cardio and can't run. So imagine my parents' surprise when I told them that I wanted to do track in middle school. At the time, I've never done any sort of sport and I would dread gym period because I couldn't even reach my toes. By some miracle, I got the papers in and I was on the track team despite never running before. On the first day, we ran 6 miles. My legs turned to jello. With the utmost confidence, I can reassure you that I was the slowest person on the team. I was slow, but surprisingly, not miserable.
People actually cheered me on. I always finished last if not second to last, but they still encouraged me. Parents, fellow students, the coaches. Honestly, the sense of community and encouragement was the only reason why I stayed. I could care less about my times. I only chose to compare myself to my past self when the season first started. Every inch of me knew that I could not beat the other girls who have been running for years. Plus their legs were twice as long as mine. Ironically, I had a growth spurt that year. I knew I was the slowest, but I owned it and trudged on (literally). And believe it or not, track was actually fun for me.
Grease: Dancing and Singing
Although I was a band geek, I was not very musically inclined. But somehow my friends looped me in and I auditioned to be in the musical Grease with them. Three parts: acting, singing, and dancing. Let me tell you, I can't do any of the three, which is why I got to be in the ensemble. I was content being in the background. But then I found out that in the opening scene, I had to dance right in front of the stage (thank goodness I was not alone).
To this day, I am still amazed I even went for the experience at all. My friends and I laughed together after the dancing audition becauseI have no rhythm. But I distinctly remember the teacher telling us to have fun. I stopped caring what others thought and I just went with it. That musical remains to be a memorable experience for me because I got to do it with great friends while making new ones. Practices day after day for hours on end created so much bonding in the atmosphere. It was a new yet exciting time. It reminds me to continue to push myself to try new things.
Okay, here is ONE photo.
SHORT + ENOUGH
Although this blog is fairly new and there's only one post, the journey to actually make it was a long one, as explained a little bit here. I didn't know what it meant to have a blog and post regularly (and I still don't). I don't know how to create consistent content that is valuable to you. But I learned in school that we are always learning and pushing ourselves. I'm currently in unknown territory, just like how I was when I did track or when I was in the musical. I was and am still a fish out of water. I survived back then and I will now. This time, I'm going to aim higher.
The support and messages from my very first post has provided so much drive and a sense of warmth. I want to thank you guys so much for sending me your words of encouragement. I will continue to do my best. I have big plans ahead to make better content, so stay tuned!
I hope this post gives you encouragement to just go out there, have fun, and do what you want to do. Yes, it may be scary, embarrassing, etc. The future is always going to be unknown so just accept it and roll with it! YOU are the sole person responsible for shaping your life so take the steps you want towards that goal. I did, and I'm not looking back.