Look to what is possible and wave goodbye to worry
This newsletter comes in the midst of three weeks of travel in China and Indonesia. A massive treat I planned for myself earlier this year. For me, travel provides a fuller view of what is possible. A view that can easily get lost in the mix of day to day life. It doesn't hurt to see fellow travelers who are living a big “yes” to expanding themselves in front of my eyes. Living a vision out loud for the world to see.
Part of my trip brought me to Shanghai to see a dear friend of more than 20 years. She is currently living out her own big yes of working abroad for a large US company. For years this friend and I were in the same circle, but I always held an idea that she was "different" from me. Whatever that means. Now, of our entire group of friends, she and I are most aligned on a desire to see an experience the world. Time has a way of weaving ourselves in an out of closeness with different people.
Shanghai provided a rare opportunity to see myself in a different light (and in a really fun way). On my first night of arrival, we reviewed my plans for my five days in Shanghai. This friend strongly encouraged a trip to the fabric market. I begrudgingly said yes to the land of shopping. She assured me that every visitor had been successful in filling their closets. There is nothing like “everyone else is doing it” to push me over the edge. I have never been a shopper. One of the primary reasons for my resistance is my overwhelm in having too many options.
Ladies, I am a changed woman. The fabric market is a place of every possibility. This magically brought out a side of me that had a very strong opinion in my own style preferences. When I could see 50 styles of silk blouses lined next to one another, I was able to say exactly what I wanted. I could even choose the color I wanted with ease. I learned the real hurdle to my shopping paralysis was a worry that there might be something I like more. Seeing every option eliminated that worry in an instant. I can now identify with my Minnesotan roots that question anyone who leaves a mall empty handed.
This may seem like a silly example, but there is a larger lesson. Seeing a full range of what is possible shattered my worry. Possibility is the antidote to worry. The more we allow ourselves to see what is possible, the clearer are path toward action becomes. Worry is less likely to block us. We will have access to a far deeper set of resources to guide us.
Shine On,
Alicia