I’m one to open myself up to new experiences and often operate outside of my comfort zone. The very act of writing a blog and publicly publishing these posts are testaments of my openness. I welcome all the good that comes with trying new things, but it does not come without fear and vulnerability. In my view, being open is an act of courage.  Opening myself up has been a slow process over the years. Imagine a flower’s metamorphosis from a bulb to a beautiful and vibrant bloom. Openness puts you in position to grow.  This is what I’ve seen in myself.

Living authentically and in accordance with my purpose are what drive me to be open to new things. I was conditioned early on to be afraid of people, my surroundings and the world. It is a struggle and I think it’s important for others to know that fear may be a constant presence.  At this point/age in my life, I most often don’t succumb to fear, but admittedly, there are times that I do. Old habits and old ways of thinking (that no longer serve me) die hard.

For anyone struggling with this, what helps me is to focus on the gains rather than the risks. It doesn’t have to be a new adventure either. It could be a different way of thinking, a different way of being, and a different way of relating. It could be engaging with a different set of people, trying a new food, moving to a different city, going back to school, getting a new job, applying for a promotion, traveling to a foreign country or  doing whatever is daring for you.. Whatever it is, the key is to decide to do something that gets you closer to where you want to be.  Decisions you make will take you closer or further away from the life you want. It’s been the small, daily decisions that have brought me to where I am today and I still have plenty of room to grow.

To be open is liberating. To be open despite fear is courageous.