“Oh, I could never do that!”
“I would be scared to try that!”
You and I have heard these phrases many times when people admire another person for something they have accomplished. It could be a dish that was prepared from a complicated recipe or a flower arrangement that was made for a luncheon. Oftentimes we shy away from trying something new or challenging because we just don’t have the courage to believe in ourselves. What if we fail?
Courage is an interesting word. Being bold and mustering up strength for a tough task comes to mind when I think of courage. But having the courage to believe in yourself is different. It’s very gentle, and it comes from within. My mom always told me that you never know if you can do something until you try. We went to painting class together, and I loved learning something new. So what if you mess it up? Just throw it away and start again, or do it a little differently next time.
Granted, some things take years to master! Playing a musical instrument is one of those. I play the piano, and I started taking piano lessons when I was eight years old. I could hardly wait for the day to come when I would be old enough to begin. Making myself practice was hard at times, but I kept on. I studied piano through high school and loved it. However, when I tried the violin it was a different story. Two months of struggling to pull that bow across the strings without it sounding like a cat screaming was enough—I was done. It was just not my musical gift. I would have wondered the rest of my life if I could have ever played the violin if I had not tried. When I hear a gifted violinist I now have a new appreciation for the beautiful music they create.
It’s never too late to start something you have truly dreamed of your entire life. Here at Hoffman Media, we publish Classic Sewing magazine. I have ladies who constantly tell me they wish they could sew. Do it! I believe you will accomplish something you really have a burning desire to do. Take the step. Muster up your courage, and believe in yourself. You can do it, and it is never too late to start anything! Don’t spend your time wondering if you can do something; spend your time trying it instead.
