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| Thanks to my wonderful sister for finding this awesomeness for us 😉 The gift that keeps giving. |
GO:
This post tonight is for the ones who choose to do the hard thing. To jump in feet first into unknown territory, to walk in when there isn’t a single familiar face in the crowd. To those of you who bravely step forward into your dreams, not knowing what the future might bring.
I’m not a jump first kind of girl. I like to tip toe in with a plan, an agenda, and a to do list. I like to make sure I have a friend to hold my hand, someone familiar to meet at the doors. I’ve gone to conferences and been surrounded by hundreds of women and felt totally alone.
But to you, the Five Minute Friday writers? The (in)courager leaders? The God Sized Dream Team? The HelloMornings girls? Thank you. Thank you for letting me be brave enough to jump in when everything in my nature told me to hold back. Thank you for promising to catch me if I stumbled, for cheering me on, offering snacks, and nodding heads in smiling encouragement that “yes…this is where you’re meant to be.”
You, sweet friends? You have become my community. You bring me joy and love, laughter and life. I know that it’s hard, this community thing. It’s much easier to bail out than to jump in and even though those two things might seem similar, I promise you. You want to jump in.
Want to join or just want to know what Five Minute Friday is all about? Head over to Lisa Jo’s blog and find out 🙂 And while you’re there, be sure to visit & leave some comment love (no lurking!) for the other bloggers who linked up!
Here’s to jumping in! (Unless the water is cold, in which case, tip-toeing in is better.)
Laura Hedgecock
http://www.TreasureChestofMemories.com
http://www.Twitter.com/LauraLHedgecock
I am a pretty spontaneous person, and not one to follow an agenda (gasp!). However, I much prefer tip toeing than jumping. I am a walker, not a runner. I am thankful I decided to jump into the big, scary world of blogging. My life is richer because of the community I’ve found here.
Yes! And those communities you mentioned are some of the very best and most loving I know…and I too am so thankful to have jumped in 🙂
I am so there with you! Needing my hand held- not because I’m dependent but because I don’t like to step into the unknown. But sometimes that’s just just JUST what I need.
Great post. Crystal. Known as Ms Agenda and plan, plan, planner, I finally slowed down. I began to take risks. Eyes closed, God fearing, let’s jump with Him kind of gal now. Although, I do slide back to the stiff and planned. But not as staunch as before.
Amen! Love this post so encouraging:)
Still new to the community so that in and of itself is kind of a “jumping in” for me – and you all have been so wonderful and welcoming. As a planner – I appreciate with you, just how much it takes to jump. But with the encouragement of community, it sure does get a little easier. Bless you for this and for your wide-open heart.
Community sounds amazing. It’s everything I need and part of my own God-Sized Dream journey. No longer a wallflower. I’m jumping in! 🙂
I’ve had to learn to balance the planner in me with the spontaneous girl that is at my core. I’m a bit bi-polar when it comes to these two things. All part of the way God has made me. I’m so thankful for you and your bravery to lead and love and encourage all of us along the way. No worries sister, we’re jumping together now.
This is beautiful. The power of community in urging us forward is nothing short of miraculous.
I too am a planning kind of girl. Love the whole map thing 🙂 But what I have found is that He asks me to take a step of faith with no idea what the next one might be. It’s scary and hard, but more than anything He wants me to trust Him one step at a time. Thanks for sharing this today, friend. Blessings.
Okay, “tip toe in with a plan, an agenda, and a to do list”, now you’re speaking Darlene. I can so relate to that. I need the details. I need to know where the EXIT routes are. And if I dare be honest, I’ve been trying to talk myself out of attending my first (in)RL event. It will take oh-so-much courage for me to get there. And you know, I can feel God saying “this way”. Why wrestle with God? It’s counter productive. I won’t get anywhere. Lord help me, I’m jumping in!!! 😉
So awesome to hear how this community has blessed your life. It’s most definitely an encouragement.
Oh I am normally a tip toe girl myself but I have to agree that both online and in(RL) community is so important to maybe give us a little push when we are to scared to jump on our own.
Love this! I got interrupted last night and didn’t even get to finish partying or posting. So YAY you got your coveted spot and with such awesome words. Love this! Jumping with you — GO!
From one tip toe girl to another, those agendas and lists can be so weighty, can’t they? Thank you of the image of community I am both excited and unsure of jumping into. Happy Jumping!
had to smile as i read your post – and about your tendency to proceed with plans and caution. it wasn’t what i expected after noting that you are one of the first to get your 5 minute post up, week after week…
loved the comparison between jumping and bailing, as well. very powerful!
Crystal,
I now have a picture of you in my mind tip toeing! A great reminder how important community is when we walk and super duper important when we JUMP.
Be Blessed.
<3
I laughed out loud at your llama friend. Fantastic.
Nice!!! Love our little Fluffachu! I am with you… the Day Planner girl in me prefers the safety net of a Plus One – but really – we are always plus One!
Can I just say I had the most fun in a long time on a Friday night!? Thanks you for being encouraging and a blessing! This is beautiful, Crystal!
Thank you for jumping into community. You bless me daily, friend.
Your post reminds me of what my daughter shared this week. She said, “Mama, when I was on the trampoline with Dom, he was holding my hand and we were jumping and I could go really high.” And isn’t that just it? With friends and community we go higher. Hooray!!! Thanks for sharing and for being bold enough to jump in when it does not feel at all natural. Happy Weekend!
Proud friend here.
Ok, first of all…the picture completely made my week. Oh my goodness. Hilarious. 🙂 Also…thank you for this post. Your words are such a blessing today…I’m outgoing and a total chatterbox, but the truth is that I’d always rather have a hand-holding friend by my side than do whatever-it-is alone. But I’m learning to be brave…and learning it from some incredible women. Thank you for being part of my community, friend.
I find it hard to believe you couldn’t make a friend wherever you go! You are most encouraging!