Isn’t it funny how getting started seems to be the hardest part of most tasks? It could be something mundane like household chores, or something exciting you’ve never tried before. But what holds us back? Fear. With chores, at least for me, I often fear I won’t have time to complete a given task or I dread a particular task mistakenly thinking it will take too long. Often, if I just start the chore I find that I was actually able to get it done and that it really didn’t take as long as I thought it would. Similarly with trying something new, I tend to fear the unknown.

Take this blog for example. I’ve dreamed of starting a blog since we moved to this property and I’ve let fears of how it will be received, if anyone would actually read it, and what if I don’t have enough to write about, hold me back for far too long.

Today at the park, I watched my 4 year old son in an environment that was new to us try something new, walking on a swinging bridge. He was hesitant at first, and I found myself offering him a hand to hold, encouraging him, and saying “you never know until you try”. Holding my hand he walked slowly across the swinging bridge concentrating on each step. He got across and we celebrated his bravery and trying something new. Afterward, he wanted to try again. The third time, still walking slowly and concentrating, he no longer felt the need to hold my hand. By the time we were ready to leave the park, he was running across this bridge without holding onto the ropes or anything.

Oftentimes something can seem scary when you don’t know if you’ll make it to the other side or you’re scared you might fail, but you never know until you try. So, here goes. I hope you’ll join me along the way.