Day 11: NaNoWriMo {Just Try It}

A couple months ago, my writing buddy met Cindy Bell, owner of Belong Christian Bookstore. Would we like to host an event there? This is an easy yes for Laura, who despite her introverted ways, has zero problems with public speaking. It’s a quick yes for me because if I think longer than a second about it, I’ll say no. I like to think I run my world with minimal anxiety, but that’s not true; I just store it up to unleash on stuff like this. What will I say? Will anyone show up? Will I accidentally show up naked? These questions and dozens more set my tummy churning days before the event. They wake me up in the middle of the night. It’s not fun.

Just try it.

This has been my motto since the beginning of Lu. It comes from my Grandma Barovian, who was forever pushing strange Polish food my way. You can’t say you don’t like it until you try it. She had a point, and most of the time (minus the liver and onions) I liked it, and if I didn’t, she let me be.

Just try it. These things I worry about anytime I take my stories public? I’m not in control of most them, but I don’t want them to control me.

Just try it. I say this to push myself out of my comfort zone.

Just try it. I say this to remind myself that failure is inherent in trying any new thing.

Just try it. I say this to give myself permission to not try it again if I don’t want to.

Just try it …

Behind any story we tell are dozens of courageous steps, little yes’s to steal time, get started, , claim a space, share our stuff. There are so many bad stories in the world right now. If we’re given the shot to tell ours and that story emboldens where others lay low and inspires collaboration where others stir judgment and division? We need to take it this Day 11 of NaNoWriMo.

Just try it.