This month I am taking the risk I’ve written about several times: I’m singing a recital in just a few short days. I’ve done so much to prepare for this that it feels like less of a risk than it did. But it’s still challenging, and I’m still nervous. I think I will be jubilant [...]
Author Archive
Risks ahead
I did it! I set a date for my concert! I reserved a space yesterday, motivated by the shame I would feel if I didn’t do it before this month’s blog. So, my recital/concert will be August 28, and if you’re interested in coming, just let me know. Now I risk failing miserably, but of [...]
Maybe, maybe not
I am going to be a total wimp this time and write about a risk I might take. Maybe. For the last six months or so I have been planning to do a small vocal concert in August. I know I will have time then. I just need to reserve a performance space, hire an [...]
Risking a new self-image
What felt like a tiny risk a month ago has grown into a major accomplishment. Last month I wrote about deciding to be on time. I had to face some uncomfortable facts about myself, and I had to choose to change some behaviors. The risky part was admitting that my lateness wasn’t a charming personality [...]
Time
It’s a tiny, tiny risk. I’ve decided to be on time. I have been a few minutes late most of my life. It’s not much, and it doesn’t seem to have any negative consequences. Most of my friends are laid-back people; my church doesn’t frown on latecomers; my family puts up with me. I always [...]
Singing a new song
I can sing. It still feels risky just to write those words, but today I am smiling about them. I took a risk, and it’s really paying off. When I was a girl, I sang all the time. My mother sang around the house, off-key, but with joyful abandon. She sang hymns and old songs [...]
The Risk of Juggling
Right now my life feels like a circus act. I have two major professional projects going, my daughter is turning 13 at the end of the week, my mother needs my care and attention, and I’m on deadline with some collaborators. I chose each of these circumstances. I have chosen to be head-over-heels in professional [...]
Thanks for Risking
What I want to say this month is thank you. Thank you, fellow bloggers, for articulating your risks, for sharing them with me, for inspiring me to keep taking my own. I am so grateful. You’ve reminded me that it’s risky to love openly, risky to work at what you love, risky to speak and [...]
Dare I ask?
I decided about a month ago that I would pick up the phone and start asking people questions. I’m constantly asking questions inside my head: how can I give my daughter the education she needs? What’s the best way to support my aging mother? What do I want to do with my career when my daughter is [...]
The Risk of Relaxing
I’ve taken two tremendous risks in my life: starting a small business, and choosing to homeschool my daughter. In both cases, I’m doing something that plenty of other people have done successfully. I have mentors to guide me, friends to support me, and a belief that the rewards will far outweigh the risks. But I [...]
