Chapter 7: Owning My Fearlessness

July. Oh, July!  What gifts you have brought to me!  This month, in addition to all the other goals from this year, I added "Be Fearless."

Fate loves the fearless. 

James Russell Lowell

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.

Dale Carnegie

People living deeply have no fear of death.

Anais Nin

Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out.

Karl Augustus Menninger

 Let me clarify a few points.  First, I am not talking about fearlessness in the sense that I am hoping everyone will go out and conquer their phobias or try an extreme experience like skydiving, bungee jumping, para-sailing, or zip-lining. Second, I am also not talking about seeking out danger like cliff diving or suddenly becoming a motorcycle stunt man.  What I am pointing to is a simple, everyday, thrilling fearlessness that changes the outcome of a person's life in significant ways.
It just so happens that this month was a game changer for me.  I interviewed, and accepted a job on the other side of the country.  Said goodbye to the comfort and beauty of the people and places I know in Oregon and took a huge leap into the unknown.  Letting go of three jobs for one was not very hard, but leaving the security of a place I grew up and the people I love for an adventure across the country to a state I had never even visited and didn't know a single person...that called upon my fearless spirit.  Luckily I am familiar with the logistics necessary when changing your address in a big way, so the hum of last minute appointments  arrangements, and squishing in as many last visits was comforting and left little time to wonder about the unknown too deeply.  Only a few days later , and with the help of many people, I was setting off on my adventure driving across the country. I took it as a good sign that I had Sacajawea on the side of my UHAUL. Who wouldn't want a great navigator for inspiration when setting off into your own personal unknown?

                         

Along the way I found many happy moments and treasures.  Here is a visit with a friend and a trip to the horse races! I made a bet and won! 

                                  

                    

I drove through miles and miles of beautiful countryside and farmland. Through  different states my trusty adventure dog loved getting out at stops to smell everything new! 

Who knew there was an Oregon, Missouri?

        

 I finally arrived in Tennessee and found a great place to live!  I am enjoying getting ready for teaching and preparing my classroom and can't wait to feel settled into this next new adventure!

I have made some great new friends and took a quick trip to Atlanta, Georgia for a Braves game! Exploring Nashville and my new home town is so exciting! 

Next Month's Goal: Explore; find joy around you.

Remember these are not just mini-month long experiments, but things that I will continue to carry throughout the year.  Next month I’ll continue to add to my growing list of ideas for how to live a happier life.  Feel free to try them out with me! 

January: Be Sarah- I am already enough.  Smile when you wake up.  Keep on top of health, work, living arrangements, chores, activities, exercise and be grateful.

February: Make mistakes. Do you best.  Be Generous.

March: Be present. Be Patient. Don’t settle for “I am here…” go for “Here I am!”

April: Go somewhere new! Make some “I was here” footprints. Life is full of setbacks.  Success is determined by how you handle your setbacks.

May: Be loving and love will come looking for you. Get creative with your life.

June: Keep in touch with friends. Get outside!

July: Be Fearless

August: Explore; find Joy!