Challenges

I have always said how much I don't like the word Challenge or how people will try to make everything a challenge. I don't like weight loss challenges, squat challenges(really?! you don't like your knees or your back much.) or don't drink wine for a month challenge( this one is just down right evil). But I realized that every day that I get up, I am and have been challenging myself to do something new or something that takes me out of my comfort zone: This has always been my Challenge. Talk to someone new, smile and speak to strangers, get out of my own head. Most people don't understand how hard this can be for some of us, when you would rather be reading with a cup of coffee. They tend to think I am full of it when I say it is hard for me, seeing the profession I am in. Just because we can do certain things, doesn't mean it is easy, right? So, when I wake up most mornings, I do try and set a goal for the day, albeit small(some days the big goals are just too big!) and I must, without fail, accomplish it. Today my goal was to slow down. I have a habit of moving and talking fast. I can be impatient(mostly with myself) and want things done quickly! Well when I move this way, I miss really important things: like listening. "Slow down Baby, you're going to fast. You got your hands in the air with your feet on the gas." These are words from an India Arie song that was dedicated to me years ago.. see what I mean? It is a challenge, but one that I can work with, not so much overcome; that is not my goal. You see, I know who I am and in knowing who I am, I will work with the things that challenge me. We don't need to hate who we are, get so frustrated with our shortcomings(not that there won't be days that we won't) that there is no flexibility for the mess up. Why do that to yourself? Know who and what you are, face your challenges and work with what you know. Logical?