February 4th, 2009
Your Turn: Open to the Possibilities
Open to the Possibilities
I’m not the type to make New Year’s resolutions, unless it’s something silly like “quit smoking.” Silly I say, because I don’t smoke. But that doesn’t mean I don’t set goals for positive changes, like dumping lousy lovers and bad eating habits, I’m just not one to jump on the bandwagon when the calendar suggests it’s time to do so. For me, change and resolving to do things different, better, and with more joy can happen at any time of the year—so why wait for the calendar to flip to 01/01?
But this year, I decided to adopt a mantra of sorts and so far, into month two of 2009, it’s working for me. My mantra, a credo driving my plans this year is: Open to the Possibilities. For me, this means embracing things that scare me, fascinate me, and challenge me.
I’m pretty sure my friends would say I do this already, but I’m elevating my game beyond my usual ease with change and my self-challenging ways—so much so, that the same friends are giving me odd looks when I tell them what my plans are. For instance, (and this may not sound like a big deal, but trust me, it is) I am taking a solo road trip to West Texas next week. There are so many things in that sentence that scream What? Are you crazy? I mean, me? West Texas? Solo?
Yet on a lark, a whim, and a bit of a dare, I am traveling to visit someone I have never met, to an unlikely place for an urban gal such as myself, alone on roads I’ve never traveled, in a car that has never seen a road trip beyond 50 miles. Yeah, I’m nuts. But that’s okay because I am living from a place of expansiveness and spontaneity rather than from a place of fear. And I think it suits me.
The West Texas road trip is just the start—2009 is still young. I am planning a trip to Croatia and Slovenia, contemplating training for bicycle road racing, and who knows what else. I do know it will be an interesting year. I’ll keep you posted and watch ATG for my stories as I stay Open to the Possibilities.
Now it’s your turn: What are you open to experiencing in 2009?
February 4th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Love this! Yesyes! Being open to possibilities is a fantastic way to approach the year, and I am going to be a complete copy-cat and adopt this mantra myself.
I didn’t set resolutions this year, and never really do, but I did tell myself that I would be more forgiving of myself and allow myself to fail without flogging myself for it. I tend to be terribly harsh and self-critical. I expect so much from myself, that it’s no wonder I shy away from doing things I really want. If you aren’t your own best cheerleader, no one else is going to be. So, instead of berating myself when I mess up (as everyone does), I’m trying to just let it slide and realise the mistake, learn from it and move on.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Shanna - I love this concept as a sort of theme for your year…and good luck with the road trip (though you should press on to north-central Texas and come have coffee, IMO.)
I’m bad about being my own cheerleader (to use Lorissa’s phrase), and tend to think everything I do/write is bad…I need to fix that.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Waiting for the New Year to make a resolution only adds the pressure and makes it even less probable that you’ll reach the goals, in my opinion. Every day is a good day for positive thinking and new, daring decisions.
And do visit Croatia and Slovenia, it’s beautiful here.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
What a great idea, Shanna! And, I agree, west Texas is a stretch!
I’m using you as a mentor–and will try to get out of my comfort zone more often.
February 4th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I’m not a girl… I just wanna be upfront about that.
See you when you get here! I am doing a similar thing this year. My friends would agree that I am the spontaneous and “crazy” one as well, but I am testing myself this year. First, I am moving into a warehouse with a bunch of musician friends in Chicago in the middle of February after having spent most of my time in the Chihuahuan desert in recent years. From there I am hoping to work my way into a sailing gig and eventually land my own boat to sail the west coast. It feels great to set radical goals! For me it adds a sense of immediacy and a ton of energy!
February 4th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Nice post, Shanna! Keep the possibilities open and the updates coming. Happy travels.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
GREAT article, Shanna!
It’s SO true… I need to work on this, as well! Thanks for writing it!
February 5th, 2009 at 7:33 am
For anyone traveling alone, I advise getting the car and tires checked out, get a GPS, plan your route so you are not traveling at night, make sure your cell is charged and you have AAA (or something similar). Its just the sensible things to do. After that, enjoy the process, the journey! Being a writer you can keep notes, or record what you see or think as you travel–you’ll find your mind is free to wander to all kinds of ideas and thoughts!
Once at your destination, you can embrace the next adventure!
Auntie Mame said: ” Life is a banquet, but most sons of bitches are starving! So Live! Live! Live!” That about sums it up. So get out there and Live. Love and all the best to you!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Wow! and cool..yet, sure sounds like someone unhitched…and decisions made predisposed to unhitch, from what are local connections of growth. Of course, like the ocean, these things often ebb and flow like ocean tides where one wonders, debates, whether to lift anchor and go with the wind, stay anchored, or even fight the wind in the opposite direction.
I can attest to the value, of what on the face seems common, through the changing lens of time; Yet, I do love the rush of the blatantly new and different.
Life is a banquet isnt it?