Embarrassment. Uncertainty. Judgment. Chuck them all and put your focus here instead:

When was the last time you stepped out and tried something new? Something different? When was the last time you felt excited? 

This morning I feel it. Excitement. Curiosity. That little bit of edginess that comes when we’re about to try something new and we’re not sure what to expect, but we’re open-minded and hopeful.  

Today that something is Nia and I can’t wait to try it.

Nia, you ask? Yeah, I didn’t know what it was either. And I’m still not fully sure what I’m getting myself into. I do know it’s part exercise, part dance, part martial arts, and there’s a spiritual component to it, too. And I’m supposed to wear yoga pants. Or tights. I think.

Regardless of the potential for an attire faux pas, having this new thing on my horizon feels good. Really good. Like living again. Being an adventurer again. Like when I was younger and not a mom with a tight schedule filled with responsibilities. I know, it’s just a one-time class twenty minutes from home. But friends, that’s all it takes.

There’s an uncertainty that comes when we’re not sure exactly what we’re getting into. While I’m always in for spiritual exercise, I’m not a dancer. At all. No grace or fluidity here. Nope. I don’t know much about martial arts either. I’m not even sure I can do this thing called Nia. Whatever it is.

Nonetheless, I’m intrigued. Curious. Hungry for something new to shake up the routine that has become life. If we're not careful, the mundane can take over and we hardly even notice unless we step out into a little adventure, a little something different. It's like a breath of fresh, beautiful, invigorating air.

For months, my friend, Deb, and I have been wanting to give this class a go. Last night, we were exchanging texts about finally doing it. (That's the photo above.) I told Deb I was excited and she said wrote, "Hopefully I won't embarrass myself." Being that I'm a seasoned professional when it comes to embarrassment, I wrote back that I was okay with that. And I am. Never once did I die from it. Not even the worst time when hundreds of thousands of people watched my gaff. (I’ll tell you that one another time). We get over it and often it makes a great story. "Yeah, you think that's embarrassing? Listen to this...."

Here’s the message for today: Don’t let embarrassment or not knowing the steps or being unsure of every detail hold you back. Don’t let nervousness stand in your way either. Or the judgments of those around you. Take a friend along or go it alone and feed that part of yourself that yearns for adventure or at least wants a little zest added to a routine-filled life. Find one thing that picks you up and drops you outside of your comfort zone. It's exciting. It's invigorating. It is the spice of life.

Today it’s Nia. Here I come! 

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