It’s Time to Start!
I have known for some time that I need to write this blog, create this site. Share my life journey with the world. But I’ve continued to push it back into the shadows of my schedule. “I’ll get it stared tomorrow. I’ll write next week. I’ll get some free time next Tuesday.” 
Those are all distractions that I’ve used to help myself avoid the work of getting started. But it’s now time. So let’s GO!
I wonder why I’ve postponed it? Why have I found the time to do a million other things except the ONE thing I knew I needed to do to begin a new chapter in my life? JUST NOW while I’m writing this blog post I stopped to think about what to write next and reached over to pick up my iPad to see how much battery life it had so that I could install the new update. WHY do I engage the distractions away from the ONE thing I know I need to give my attention and energy to?
Why has it been so hard to get this thing started?
I like to Start Stuff!
I’m a natural starter. I’ve started businesses, non-profits, work groups, teams, special projects, and all kinds of stuff. I love to start. I love Mondays. I love starting a new month. I love starting my car! I’M A STARTER! So why have I been so challenged to get this tedbaird.com started?
Prison of Fear
One simple, ominous, pesky, lurking emotion – FEAR!
I’ve been afraid! Afraid of what? I’m not normally a scardy-cat. I’ve jumped out of an airplane, been scuba diving with sharks, ridden motorcycles like Evil Knievel, screamed down a snow covered mountain with two fiberglass sticks strapped to my feet, and a thousand other near death adventures. So why has this fear held me back? What am I afraid of?
I am Afraid
I’m afraid that others won’t like what I write. I’m afraid that I won’t keep writing and it will be a half finished life project. I’m afraid I’ll be boring and no one will read it. I’m afraid I might offend someone. I’m afraid I might be misquoted. I’m afraid of failing. I’m afraid I won’t be relevant. I’m afraid I’ll run out of things to say. I’m afraid I’ll misspell a word and my 2nd grade spelling teacher will call me out on her blog. I’m afraid of succeeding. Wait, WHAT?! “I’m afraid of succeeding?” Where did that come from?
I love the poem by Marianne Williamson:
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others. —Marianne Williamson
It’s GO Time for YOU!
What are you putting off starting? What do you keep avoiding? What new life adventure awaits you but you continue to come up with a million excuses why you can’t get started? It’s time to get started! It’s time to start NOW! The world needs YOU to bring your work into the light.
Start today. Start NOW!