What If…?

Self-confidence—does everyone lack confidence and if they do lack confidence – why? It seems it is common, at least to the average man (or woman.)  Why do I become frightened at the thought of something big and new? I hesitate to put myself out there, to be vulnerable. What will happen if I do? What will happen if I get rejected? I know what I would do – quit, give up, retreat back into my turtle shell.

What would happen if I didn’t give up. If I tried again and again to succeed? What if I got a break? What then? What if I became a sought after commodity? What if I made thousands of dollars? Millions of dollars? I am 75, how can that ever happen for me? I think I am over the age of being sought after. What if I am just telling myself that and it isn’t true? What if…..?

Gratitude

So often when I write my gratitude list, I mention the good stuff — warm water, great bed, a roof over my head. Then one day it came to me that I am grateful for pain, whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual. It is in pain that I experience growth. Without the struggles in my life, I would not have developed strength and character and have compassion for those who are suffering. Today I am grateful for pain.