“Should you ever find yourself on your path
moving along in spite of fear
wondering if you’re ready or not to rise to the next level,
chances are great that you will not be ready.
Rise anyway.
You see, wondering means you’re not ready,
doing means you are.”**
Some people seem to be always ready to walk a new path, apply for a new job, dive off the high board. Others seem to be afraid to try anything new. Most of us are somewhere in the middle. We’re eager to try new things as long as the risk isn’t too scary, but we shy away from life changing possibilities.
I wander up and down the readiness ladder.
Once I tried for a job that sounded fun just for the application experience, knowing I wouldn’t be hired. Even though my skill set wasn’t exactly what they had in mind, I was hired because I’d done a number of different jobs and adapted easily to change. That job turned out to be my favorite, more fun than work.
I’ve moved to different states without much thought. Sometimes those moves were beneficial and made me happy. Others were dead ends that made me want to flee within the hour, if possible. It never was possible, and I learned valuable lessons.
Then there are smaller risks, like riding roller coasters. I’ve always been the one waiting on the ground for my friends to descend from their heart-racing adventure. Recently, the doctor told me to stay off roller coasters. Relief! Now I have a valid excuse to stay on the ground.
Writing “Thoughts to Ponder” was frightening at first. Who was I to offer life suggestions to others who probably knew more than I. However, I’ve learned that most people enjoy reading them and thank me for presenting a new idea. Those who don’t agree usually don’t comment.
Now folks are urging me to write a book. That is a terrifying thought. How can I stretch a 500-800 word thought into a 60-80,000 word book? Who would edit it? Who would publish it? Who would buy it and read it? At this point I’m still pondering those questions.
Recently I wrote about a meditation in which I was directed to step off the cliff. As soon as I can determine how to turn 500 words into 60,000 I’ll take that step, knowing the other issues will be solved as I write.
In the meantime, I hope you will take a little risk, then a larger one, then step off the cliff. You just might find a wonderful adventure.
** “A Note from the Universe,” February 17, 2015, Mike Dooley www.tut.com
© by Sharon D. Dillon, February 20, 2015
Sharon D. Dillon, energywriter@cox.net, http://energywriter.me “Laugh your way to peace, love and joy”
Chesapeake Bay Writers, Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, Southern Humorists, National Society of Newspaper Columnists, VOICES of Williamsburg Toastmasters Club
Author of one of 14 stories in The Book of Mom: Reflections of Motherhood with Love, Hope and Faith, published by booksyoucantrust.com. Available in print and e-format at Amazon.com
Laugh your way to peace, love and joy 
You are such a talented writer and I hope you will continue to write posts from your heart as you do. Love to read them!!! Blessings,
Thank you so much< Ellie. I learn so much from your posts too. Even though we take different approaches to our topics we are spreading the same message.
You write a book one page at a time. If you look only at the whole thing, you will be overwhelmed and will probably give up. If you’re writing fiction, the only thing you MUST know before you begin is how you want it to end…then write to that ending. Good luck! 🙂
I’m thinking of doing a collection of Thoughts to Ponder. Am collecting quotes and plan to write one or two a day. I’d like to do a fiction story along the lines of “5 people you meet in heaven,” inspiring but fun to read too.
Thank you for your encouragement. I didn’t intend to say that I’d like to write a book in the post, but I guess my guides were saying, “Put it out there, then you can’t chicken out.”
Just write the book. Don’t worry about what it will be about, how it will flow, or who will read it. The angels will help guide your fingers on the keyboard. Sometimes they can’t type, (as you can tell if you read my text sometimes), but editors need something in order to earn their living, too. Circle of life. If you build it, they will come. *Smiles*.
Thank you, Angela, for your support and encouragement.
I went through my “Thoughts to Ponder” and have 37 written so far. Need to write a lot more to make a daily meditation book, my original thought.
I’ll ask Dan and my angels to guide me.
Just the thought of that first , long step is enough to scare lots of us into going back to the campfire.
So true. Unfortunately female bladders don’t hold as much as those belonging to males. So we have to keep walking. 😀
Glad the thought is still rolling up there. One day you will be ready.
Thank you for your encouragement. I need to just relax and let it come naturally.
I love that quote—and your philosophy!
Thank you, Dorothy. So many quotes from various sources have talked about taking the next step. That must be a sign to keep moving.