Do you remember what it was like to learn how to ride a bicylce, or tricycle, for the first time? I remember my first bike...the old fashioned ones with no extra gears or speeds. It was just a bike: one speed, one set of brakes, (well two if you counted my feet) and a little too big for me so I could grow into it. No helmets back then either. The weather was warm, early spring, my favourite time of year when I was a kid. I could finally put away the snow boots, put on the shiny patent leather shoes for fancy dress or running shoes for play and then take off. My parents bought me my bike for a birthday, I think probably my 7th birthday but I'm not positive about that. It was in March and the sun was shining and there was a beautiful shiny blue bike in the driveway waiting just for me. My own bike! It even had a kickstand which was an added feature back then. I couldn't wait to try it out. I hopped on while my dad held onto the back to steady me. As soon as he let go I fell. I had two choices at that point: cry and never get back up or dust off and try again. I tried the latter. On I went, down I fell. If at first you don't succeed: on, fall, on, fall...until finally I got my balance enough to actually take it onto the street and try riding. Dad running behind me I couldn't wait to get going. My feet pedalled and pedalled until my dad got too tired to hold on any longer. But, here's the thing, I didn't know that he was no longer supporting me. I had been so immersed in the joy of this new found freedom that I completely forgot to see if my dad was still holding onto me to make sure I was safe. Well you all probably know what happened next: I turned around to see if dad was still there, he wasn't and I fell because I thought I needed him to keep me balanced.
It took a little while for me to figure out that I could ride without dad there all the time but I sure was grateful that he took the time to get me started. Once I had that bike I was going to places I had not been able to get to before. I went to the local park, I went to friend's houses, I rode to the store to pick up stuff for my folks, I rode to the local creek and played in the meadows. I loved my bike.
I consider my dad to have been my "training wheels" throughout this process of learning to ride. I sure did need them but eventually there was a time when they had to come off.
I was fortunate that my folks trusted enough to let me ride without them. That notion has carried me through a lot of things in my life. When times have been tough I've been able to look for support, to ask for help, to learn and grow and to then "remove the training wheels" if you will to go out on my own knowing I'm supported.
My "training wheels" have carried me through a lot of stuff let me tell you.
What about you? Do you ask for help? Do you stop trying when things get too hard? Do you have a support system in place to get you over the hard times? Do you have your own "training wheels" in place to get you started on something new?
Thoughts?
Living la vida fearless, Jan

It's a beautiful and sunny day today in this wintry part of the world so I decided to get myself outside and absorb some of that vitamin D au naturel...Of course I headed straight to the lake. I love the sound of the water, the birds that flock nearby, the trees covered in ice by the waves, the people I meet and the solitude as I walk. I find this one of my greatest sources of relaxation and meditation and today was no exception. I wasn't the only one out walking and many people had their puppies out enjoying the snow and the sun. Most of you probably already know I'm an animal person and puppies just melt my heart. I was approached, tail wagging, by puppies today at two separate times. How cute, how fun, how full of life they were. I love the enthusiasm they show when they meet somebody: jumping up and down, around in circles or just back and forth in happy greetings. One lady I met had a puppy named Lucy. Cute little thing with a lovely warm coat on. Lucy jumped up and down as she came close to me and I was delighted to be able to stop and pet her. Her owner chatted with me for a minute and then we parted ways. As we left I heard Lucy's owner saying "OK Lucy, that's enough for now, you've been spoiled enough already." Hmmmm.....that got me thinking. Spoiled? Because the puppy had some attention? Spoiled? Because somebody stopped to spend some time with Lucy? I had to disagree with Lucy's owner although I didn't tell her that. I didn't think Lucy was spoiled at all. I think Lucy knew exactly how to ask for what she wanted, knew how to get it and knew just how to receive the gifts she had asked for. I think people could take a great lesson from Lucy...Oftentimes one will remark that they're not happy with their work/partner/parent/child/friend etc....but they don't make any efforts to change anything. They don't speak up: they don't say what they want: they don't offer help in communicating their wishes. What's that all about? Aren't we all allowed to be "spoiled" in the sense of receiving the gift of acknowledgement? AND, quite frankly, I wouldn't even call it "being spoiled." I'd call it being human and being loved.
Just my perspective.
Thoughts?

Living la vida fearless, Jan

Are you starring in your own reality tv show? Are you the main attraction in Fear Factor reality tv? Want to move on but aren't sure how to get unstuck? Tired of not doing what you love because somebody told you it was impossible, or you weren't smart enough, too smart, too short, too tall, too thin, not too thin, too big a dream...?

Living La Vida Fearless Coaching Services is here to help. We will be offering a workshop in April to get working on moving, jumping over, jumping around or accepting the barriers in your way.

Uncover your fears, name them, claim them, face them and then erase them.

Want to know more? When, where, cost, time commitment? Send me an email.
See you soon.

Much love, Jan