Go for the goodness

...A day early!

You know that feeling you get in your gut, right before you do something out of your comfort level (It may be a speech, an interview, a BIG purchase, skydiving, jumping into a pool from a 10 meter platform....well, you get the idea)?
It is a nervous feeling, excitement, anxiety.
It is the feeling that can make or break you. It either pushes you to do it or you dismiss the idea and decide against it.
Sometimes, the longer you ponder this thought, the original desire you had to do this "act" sort of fades away and you go on about your normal routine.
Depending on what the act is, whether it could benefit someone else, may also weigh in your decision to do it.

What kind of situation would it have to be for you to act upon your feelings or instinct?
Would it help someone else?
Would it help you overcome a fear?
Would it be good for an animal or the environment?
Would you do it strictly out of survival?
Would you do it if the risk was minimal?
Would you do it just for the rush?
Would you do it if was only within the law?
Would you do it if it was illegal and knew you could not get caught?

Now, I am not suggesting to be wreckless and I am not encouraging illegal acts,

but how often do you see a situation where you think...
"Oh, that poor animal / person, I wish they did not have to endure that situation. I wish they could have immediate relief" ?
Or
"I have always been on the reserved side, but I should not pass up this chance to get up in front of everyone to sing kareoke". (Right Howard *wink*)
Or
"I am here on a great vacation. I am afraid of heights, but I really should go parasailing because I will never see a view like this again".

I have to admit that when I am faced with a situation, a lot of times my thoughts are as far as my actions go. Sometimes you have to reach outside of your comfort level; it is an amazing feeling when you do this (the reward).
Once you have, it becomes a little easier to do it the next time.
I am a believer to live life, no regrets. If you don't "go for it" then most likely you will eventually have a regret. (I know, sometimes there is the regret for doing it, but most of the time you will end up being really glad you did).
As a kid, it is easier to act upon these thoughts because you have not seen or have an understanding of what the end result could be. The older we get, the better understanding we have of life and how it works (for the most part).
We also get complacent.

I was on the swim team and diving team when I was growing up. I had no fear of water what-so-ever. My diving coach would explain how to do a dive and I would do it.
Once, we were at a big swim meet at a pool that had diving platforms. At the end of the day, when the swim meet was over, we were allowed to play in the pool. Some of the kids were jumping off the diving platforms, so of course I wanted to.
I jumped off the 5 meter platform...YAY, fun!
Then I went to the 7 meter platform...(oh this is pretty high up, here goes...I jumped). Then I climbed up the 10 meter platform...(GULP! I am really way up here! I walked to the end, curled my toes over the edge and looked down.
That feeling! I had it!
I struggled with my thoughts "do it" / "no way, too high".
My heart was racing, my stomach was tight and my knees were trembling.
Then I got IT, the thought that overcame me...."JUST GO"! I bent my trembling knees and pushed off.
I DID IT!
Afterwards, I was glad I did and knew that if I had not done it, I would have had regrets.

Now that I am older, it becomes harder and harder to take action on my thoughts.
The last several months, I have made an effort to act instead of just thinking...like the destitute man I gave my last $2 to on the insterstate this past winter; getting home and returning to the grocery store parking lot with cat food for the stray cat; releasing a trapped bird inside a car...
I really do not know how much impact I have made with these small gestures, but the point is I acted upon my thoughts. It was out of my routine comfort level and it made me feel good inside. It is my hope that I will do even better from this point on.

You only live once, go for the goodness. If it is something you think you want...GO FOR IT... that job interview, the speech, kareoke, helping the homeless, skydiving...or even getting a tattoo! ;)

You will love the reward!

Love you all, have a great weekend!