Growing up, I was always so afraid when we had to pick partners in school. It didn’t matter the class, it was probably by far my least favorite thing and I dreaded it. I remember finding myself on courage street on a gorgeous sunny day, perfect for a kid free lunch date drop top ride with my husband in our 69′ Firbird. Excited to hit up a patio and just enjoy the day. The moment I sat down I saw someone I know through social media but have never met in person. This person is someone I really look up to and has been very inspiring to me. At that moment and the few that followed it was as though I became glued to my chair. I had so many things I wanted to say, and the longer I sat glued to my chair thinking about it my words got scrambled. I watched as they left, I even made an attempt to say something as they walked by, but my voice came out as a wisper. It was as though I was Ariel from the little mermaid when she lost her voice. My big sunglasses covered my tears, tears that were soon wiped away. The table was quickly filled with a new group. Two people who welcomed a third with big hugs. It was great to see and it really helped lift the mood. We spent some time talking about what happened. My husband helped me grow from this experience. Instead of letting it break me, he helped me see how to benefit from it. I explained how part of it was him being there made me nervous. He is the best salesman I’ve ever known and with that he always knows what to say. He really got through to me, broke it down and explained not to let the fear control you but to realize that every person in the world has had the same fear at least once before. Why miss out on a great opportunity simply because you were just nervous. It all boils down to courage. Not the absence of fear or despair but the stength to conquer them. That day I could not find my strength, but I vowed every day to be stronger. As I sat there kicking myself, thinking and talking about the impact meeting this person could have had on me, I found the reason why this happened. I will triumph over this. The next time I am in this situation, I will be able to look back, remember how I felt, and get up out of my chair before the glue sets in.
“It’s true that everything happens for a reason, but it is always our responsibility to choose the reasons.” – Hal Elrod
Later on that evening my husband came to me with a video. Those 3 minutes further changed my life and my way of living. It really opened up Courage Street from a one way street to a highway. It was a gymnastic gold medalist talking about how growing up when she wanted to quit her parents always told her that she could quit, but not today, not until she had a good day. And, when she had a good day they would remind her that she could quit. She laughed and explained how she would tell them she didn’t know what they were talking about and that she never said she wanted to quit. I did not quit that day and I added a new chapter in my life changing journey. I will teach my kids and everyone else I possibly can that they can’t quit until they have a good day. When you find yourself on courage street and the road gets bumpy don’t turn onto quit street, good street is just up ahead.
BrielleStreet7 