Taking a Risk

Edwin is the athlete in my family. Blessed with a lean and long build, he easily leaps from a slight crouch to a height of double his length. That would mean about 10 feet for me, and let me tell you how THAT is never happening. Edwin practices yoga to the point of contortion-ism. And yet, it is his simple, gentle stretches that I so admire. He provides a reminder to me to get up and extend my body its full length - allowing blood and air to rush into the new empty spaces.

The kind of stretch Edwin sucks at, though, is the kind I regularly encourage my clients to take: extending oneself to take a risk; speak an inner truth; do something that scares you! In his case, that would be NOT hiding under the bed or in the closet when the plumber arrives at our house. Since Edwin is a feline member of my family, I easily forgive him, and know that he always comes out when he's ready. When he feels safe enough to make the leap of faith, he does.

Truly, the same principle applies to my clients, and to me. I admit, I am not always as gentle on myself as I am with my cat, as I sometimes wish I were "not scared, or more ready, or better at stretching." And then I remember, I do jump when I feel safe enough to do so, just as my clients do - just as Edwin does.

Living into my own stretches feels paramount to growth for me. I always learn something new about myself when I take a risk. Sometimes I simply learn that I'm willing, and possess the courage, to go out on a limb (cool - even when it's not so graceful). Other times I discover a part of myself that I've been unfamiliar with - an aspect of me that desires love and compassion, and is ready to be seen.

To that end, I remain open to new things that inspire me to take action, even if they feel frightening. I encourage myself to feel my way into it. Sometimes I have an idea, and nothing manifests. That's okay. Because every once in a while I step into a new situation, or approach an old situation a new way, and both require a kind of self-trust and faith - an inherent knowing that I am safe within.

For months, I considered taking my-first-ever yoga class. When inspired, I bought a Groupon for a studio near my house. Laden with dust by the time I felt ready to use it, that purchase served as my first step. My "getting ready to get ready" mode. When I finally attended my first class, I still felt nervous, but my readiness and willingness had grown bigger than my fear. I allowed myself enough space between the stirring of the idea, and the execution, to feel safe enough within me, no matter what came about in class. FYI, I'm now on my second set of 10 classes!

On a scale of 1-5, I'd rate my yoga stretch at about a 3. At about the same time, though, I also enlisted myself in a level 5 stretch. Several years ago, I decided that a trip to see the big animals of Africa looked like fun. In March, I felt a pull - a calling - to visit those beautiful creatures NOW. Some sense of urgency entered the picture, that I cannot fully understand, I only know that I felt a desire to be obedient to the call.

Within a week, an advertisement for a great flight price appeared on Facebook. A "one-day" sale! I discussed the possibility with my husband, Mark, at the end of the day, and after looking at the flight information, he said, "Yeah, I don't think I can do the flight. It's just too long for me." My spirits sank, and I went to bed.

The next morning I awoke with a clear thought: "Go alone. This is just like when you went to Costa Rica by yourself, but the next level up, because you've never been there before." Shit! Okay, well...hmm.

When my husband and I travel together, we don't do any organized anything. I find us a house to stay, away from the touristy fray, and we explore. When I went to Costa Rica by myself the first time, I did the same; however, I'd already been to the area once before with Mark, so it wasn't ALL brand new. And, I also had a good sense of what precautions to take to feel safe.

South Africa, though, I mean, geesh! That day, I began researching how I might do this alone. After several false starts, a volunteer program captured my attention. So, now I've got my "call" and some inspiration...oh boy. That night, I began another conversation with my husband about the Africa trip, and before I had a chance to express my thoughts, he said, "You should go alone. It would be great for you."

"Well, Mark, funny you should mention that; let me tell you about my day!" I shared that I'd found a two-week Cheetah Reintroduction volunteer program in South Africa. My days would be spent with these big cats, and the package included a four day trip to Kruger National Park, where the "big five" can be seen. Kind of "made to order" for me, no?

Lest you believe I pulled the trigger the next day, I did not. It took me nearly four weeks to sign myself up and purchase a flight. That's a handful of years, several months, and four weeks. Sometimes, the getting ready to get ready stage goes on for a while, even when the pull and inspiration are burning within!

I leave October 13th and return home November 5th. I've never: been away for over three weeks by myself before, flown across the Atlantic, or experienced any serious volunteer work. South Africa is a brand new adventure for me. And in addition to my volunteer stint, and Kruger visit, I've added a few solo days in Cape Town. I figure if I'm going to do the thing, I might as well go for it, right?

So here's my question for you - what will your stretch be for today? Or what might you be getting ready to get ready for? I encourage you to give yourself the space and time you need, and then take the plunge. Who knows what might be in store for you - what you might learn about yourself. In truth, my South Africa experience began several years ago. What an amazing adventure it's been so far! May you find your own inspiration, and be obedient whatever calls you.

With love and a willingness to take a risk,
Joanne Lutz