Starting something new can be scary, daunting even. Thoughts of “how?”, “when?”, “why?”, basically all the question words we learned in 3rd grade come flying into our heads, but with exclamation marks behind the question marks. It can take some time to get over those doubts and fears and push forward to remind ourselves of the reasons we felt inspired to do this “something new” in the first place. Let’s look for those reasons and inspirations though. They are valuable. They are needed. The most amazing ideas and inventions came from extraordinary people, who thought they were ordinary.
From all outward appearances, I am an ordinary woman. In my early 50’s, I’ve taken care of a home and family, raised my children, done a little work on the side. So what made me think I could start a project and have anyone else pay attention? I’m not asking or looking for praise from anyone who knows me. That is not the intent of the question. It’s more of an internal reflection. I need to remind myself, occasionally, that I am extraordinary. I am a child of God. I have a mind and the ability to think, to reason, to learn and to grow.
In launching Discombobulated, and this new website all together, I went through those questions in my mind. I got stuck with an idea that I didn’t know how to see to fruition. The title photograph was taken in 2017, almost 7 years ago. It struck me as powerful, but I didn’t realize the path it would lead me down. I named it then, in 2017. Over the years different ideas tumbled through my brain, but mostly reminded me of tumble weeds crossing from one side of the road to the other. It was two years ago that my whole project began to actually take form. One year ago I felt immensely impressed to shape that form into more than just that internal reflection I mentioned. I spoke with a few close friends and family members about it. I wrote about it. Edited my writing, and started collecting photographs which I have taken over the span of 20+ years. The wisdom I have gained throughout this project is definitely of value to me, but it also might be valuable to someone else going through similar things.
The same is true for you. We all have something to share and contribute. Our wisdom is valuable. Please share it.
When was a time that you had to first overcome your fear before you could launch something? What did you learn from that experience?
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