Scare Yourself

The first three months of the year have been a monumental push for me to get my proverbial ducks in a row before American Grit premieres.  The little duckers have been driving me crazy flying everywhere!

My friend offered me this encouragement: “I know it’s hard, but ducks actually like getting in a row.  I mean, you could have been herding cats, right?”  She makes a valid point.

But as I stood at the gun range today holding a rifle (I took my friend, Jenny, there for a “Texas” experience) visualizing all the ducks I wanted to shoot literally and figuratively, I was reminded about the first time I shot gun nearly four years ago with my other friend, Regina.

It was my 38th birthday and I was going to do three scary things that year:

1. Shoot a gun for the first time (I’m a Democrat)
2. Start a blog (I knew nothing about technology)
3. Enter a bodybuilding bikini competition (at 5’2″ and size 14)

All three things scared the living crap out of me because I had no clue what I was doing.  I cried after shooting the gun, and, not to brag, I shot off the wire holding the target.  Twice.

I was going through a rough patch in life, felt frumpy and clueless and old, but I also had this sort of excitement in the pit of my stomach, because even though I was in a bad spot at the moment, I had this strong belief that my life was going to get better and the world was alive with possibilities.

Therein started my hardcore tradition I like to call my #BirthdayScare, namely do something (or things) that pushes you past your comfort zone.  It doesn’t have to noble or dangerous, just something that tests your limits, because that’s how you grow.

I’ve just passed my 42nd birthday and I’m getting ready to do three scary things:

1. Do five minutes of stand up comedy (Ask me if I’m prepared. No.)
2. Create an online SLIMethod and market it on social media
3. Watch myself compete in a reality TV show called American Grit

I’m learning about Instgram, Skype, Google Hangouts and the difference between Periscope and SnapChat; writing, directing and producing my own video series; watching stand up comedy to figure out how to deliver a punchline; and making up fliers for a premiere party.

The end is getting near for my ducklings to line up in a row.  It’s finite.  You can count the days down now.  My weight loss program should be live in about 10 days.  American Grit premieres in less than two weeks.  My stand up gig happens at the Texas Shredder bodybuilding competition in May.

Of course the other thing that is finite is our time on this earth.  At my age, sadly, the end is getting nearer than the beginning, so there is that urgency to live the most amazingly passionate life possible while I’m here.  To lead a passionate existence means I have to find comfort in the discomfort of pushing myself towards the unknown.

I feel scared of failure, and intimidated by success, and old, and clueless about hashtags and Facebook settings, but I have this belief that facing my fears is good for me, and maybe another woman will watch and realize that if I can do these crazy things so can she.

My friend Jenny aims her gun, shoots off the wire holding the target (twice) and smiles because she knows the world is alive with possibilities.

Lisa 😉

Lisa Traugott is a Mom’s Choice Award winning writer, fitness blogger, wife and mom of two….and Original Cast Member of AMERICAN GRIT on FOX!!!

Want to lose weight like I did?  Send me an email at sheslosingit.net@gmail.com to sign up for my SLIMethod (no gym required!)

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