Do you squirm too when you feel like you’re new at something?
Like you’re green, fresh- ya know a little awkward…
Or worse- people figure out you’re not (gasp!) perfect?
Well, as I prepare for my 2nd Go Ask Ella public speaking engagement I’m realizing that the numero uno way to win hearts (including my own) is to be real and present.
But you know what keeps us from being present and being able to actually give what we’re capable of giving?
Hiding.
Hiding the fact that we’re new, beginning, that we make mistakes AND that we don’t know EVERYTHING. It’s scary to be vulnerable with how we’re really feeling and it’s often safe to start practicing the mask pull-off. Having a sanctuary of sorts with friends or someone you just click with that you can trust, is crucial, and we’re often reminded of this in times that push us to grow, eek!
Thank goodness for our own in-house heroes and angels in our lives.
But what about going public with our newness to folks we don’t know?
So, Monday, I’m speaking to a group of new moms. (If you wanna learn more about the class or come, click here).
And guess what I have to own right from the get go otherwise I’ll be dancing around it?
I’m not a mom. Hello Captain Obvious there (I know) but some how it plagued me a bit.
However, I choose to own that I don’t know what it’s like to be a mom AND yet, I still have something of value to give these women.
If I spent the whole time at the workshop hiding or avoiding the fact that I myself have never had children, I’d not be fully myself and fully present to these women, to hear them and give them what they need which is sanctuary, a space to feel heard and accepted just as they are.
How could I ask them to accept themselves just as they are if I can’t?
I’m new, I’m a beginner at speaking to moms, heck to coaching professionally but that isn’t a reason to hide, that’s something to shine the light on.
I’ve only been at it for a year “in public” and I’m still learning, always will be.
Giving permission to make mistakes and it allows lovers, clients, friends, family, the world at large, to make mistakes too.
Compassion, a priceless gift. Wouldn’t you agree?
So my dears, I ask…
What have you been hiding that’s keeping you from being your full self?
How is it serving you?
Be as fresh as a daisy.
Fresh, meaning new in this case, therefore delicious and worth celebrating. Consider that said daisy has been around the block for a while even if it’s just beginning to bloom. It had to root itself in the dark earth, soak up some water, sprout, push up to the surface through who-knows-what and continue to stretch even further.
It didn’t happen in a hot second, not even when the sun finally kissed it with its rays. Catch my drift?
Sometimes we think admitting we’re fresh is hard when we feel like we should be more or we’ve been around the block.
It implies we’re not enough. That ain’t the case though.
Owning this green part of ourselves actually allows us to grow and be trusted by ourselves and the people in our lives.
On that note, I’m going to go buy myself some flowers as a friendly reminder.
Please share your thoughts, feelings, hullabaloo below in a comment or share with your friends on facebook if you feel so inclined. I’d love to hear how you celebrate being new and fresh at something! I dare you to look at what you’ve been hiding and come out of the closet below (you can do it anonymously, just write the first letter of your first name so we can keep ‘em a bit straight).
Coming to you fresh and so green-green,
Ella
