Blog - To Reach the Sun You Have to Step Out of the Cave
To Reach the Sun You Have to Step Out of the Cave
Dreams, Risks and Courage: The ideal elixir to living a fulfilled life showcased in the movie The Croods. Little did I know when I sat down with our youngest girls last week that I would be impacted enough to want to write about it. I thought I was taking a moment out of a busy week to be with my family. Instead, I watched a funny and touching story about going after dreams that involved risky courageous acts. Rather than stay safe inside a protective cave, the teenage heroine, Eep, bravely steps into an adventure with her family. Through acts of courage, taking risks, and trusting each other, they find a new home outside of the dark protective cave.
For me, achieving my dreams and living in my light, only becomes possible when I set bold goals and take courageous risks to make them happen. While reflecting back on the last decade, I vulnerably share with you my 'coming out the cave' moments that took boatloads of courage in order to embrace a more fulfilled life: I got divorced, experienced single parenting, transition into a new co-parenting relationship with my ex, experienced the roller coaster of dating relationships, and faced an ex-boyfriend in court two times over to file and uphold a restraining order. I eventually risked my heart again which grew to an amazing partnership where we have chosen to blend our unique families together and nestle into the foothills of the Cascades. And in the midst of all this, I decided to change my career to life & career coaching and launched my own business. Just around the corner, I'm taking another scary risk; leaving my corporate job to jump 100% into my coaching business as a solo entrepreneur!
Am I scared? 100% Yes!
Am I excited? 100% Yes!
Am I ready? 100% Yes!
Do I have it all figured out? Nope!
What I do have is courage that I can take risks, brush myself off if I fall, and ask for help when I need it. This is where courage and dreams come together. I know that in order to have a fulfilled life I will have to take risks to step outside of the protective cave and lean into my community who are blazing their own courageous trails.
This quote from the movie highlights the difference between living and hiding while Eep explains to her dad, Grug, that they weren't living a life:
[Grug is on the verge of tears]
Eep: Dad, you have to stop worrying about us.
Grug: But it's my job to worry! It's my job to follow the rules.
Eep: The rules don't work out here.
Grug: They kept us alive.
Eep: That wasn't living! That was just.... "Not Dying"! There's a difference.
Grug: Ugga, everyone, you have to listen to me.
Eep: We would be DEAD if we listened to you! Not aliveness.
In order to live an alive life, I had to take risks. I won't sugar coat this. Taking risks is hard. It means sacrificing at times. It means showing up when you might not want to. It means stepping into uncharted territory and not knowing how it will turn out. It means you'll disappoint someone. Sometimes it's overwhelming and you'll want to give up. I know because I have felt all this during this last decade of transition for me. Yet I wouldn’t change a thing. My life changed because I stepped out of my cave and stepped into a life with light. I also had a community to support and encourage me.
What is a courageous risk you can take today to step outside your comfort zone?
If you feel like you are living in a protective cave and fear might be keeping you in the dark, please click on my calendar link here to schedule a complimentary 30 minute session and we'll explore what is possible when you step into the light towards your dreams.
I also offering you a free gift to help you navigate towards your light outside the cave. If you feel like you are stuck inside the cave but think that setting some goals may help you reach the light, click on my website and you can sign up to receive a great tool for charting your goals and tips for achieving them.
