I have always as introvert, the person hanging by the snack table, waiting patiently for a fellow introvert to join me so we can have a mini introvert party (with food of course, the best kind of introvert parties!). But I have found that, despite the many benefits that come with being an introvert, the ability to share one’s creative endeavors is not one of my strengths.
Don’t get me wrong, I am an awesome listener, a great conversationalist, and a wonderful person to knit next to. I’m very fun at canning classes and a hoot to work next to (mostly due to my regular talking out loud and commentary on my e-mails). But sharing my artwork has been very difficult. Occasionally, I have tried to dip my toe into the pool and share my art and my artistic process. Just as quickly, I pull that toe right on back and scurry back to the snack table.
So what is different now? Why will things keep moving this time? Great question! I think I just got sick and tired of being afraid. The toe dipping method is not working for me any more. I am ready to cannonball into this exciting, somewhat scary, snack-table-less pool.
Recently I met a really cool fellow named Rob. We had a great conversation about art and commitment and being bold He shared a quote that really spoke to me that I want to share with you. About Boldness, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said the following:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth that the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”
This quote made me think about the benefits of boldness. So in that spirit, I am choosing to be bold. Another friend recently quipped “Bold is the new black, and it goes with everything.” So, hello world, please note that I am wearing bold with a dash confidence and smidge of devil-may-care. I am a bold introvert and dang, it feels great!
How do you plan to be bold? Are there any areas that you are ready to take the next steps? I would love to hear from you! Share your ideas and your commitments below.
Heather J Chamberlain 
Sent from my iPad
I loved your post. Thanks for sharing. In the same line, I have embraced the Benjamin Mee line from the movie We Bought a Zoo, “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.