One of my favorite lines from a movie comes from “We Bought A Zoo”. Matt Damian character was talking to his son about courage. This is what he shared, “Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage — 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery and I promise you something great will come of it.”
This line from the movie has stuck with me. Especially because I like to live my life in a comfort zone. A place where I know what will happen at the precise moment of each day. I get anxiety when I think about doing something that may cay not have a definite outcome. Something that I will have to step outside of my fluffy comfort zone into the jagged edge of the unknown.
I live in a comfort zone where I think of 100 scenarios for every decision I might make. What the outcome would be if I choose Plan A, B or C. Sometimes I think so much I get scared and I end up talking myself out of even making a decision.
I definitely talk myself out of making a decision if it means I have to make myself vulnerable and ask someone else for help or to do something with me. Usually when I ask someone for a “favor” I usually start it out by say “I was wondering if you could do something for me, I understand if you can’t do it and you can say no” I am not saying this statement for their validation I am saying for me to remember that I have to be okay if they say no.
I put that statement into practice a few months ago. We had a Quarterly Company Meeting. At the end, the President of the Company invited anyone that wanted to talk to him that he was open to suggestions or concerns. The spirit of GOD told me to ask about the Company having a Sexual Trauma Awareness month event. I leaped up and went to get in line. I kept reviewing in my head what I would say.
I am next to speak with him and I just let it flow. Because we are a healthcare company I shared how we should have some type of event for the community to know we support those who have a sexual trauma. I was prepared for him to deflected. But he did not do that. He took me over to the Human Resource Manager. I told him what I said to the President. He told me to send him an email about what my suggestions were.
I walked out of there so proud of myself, but then I realized “OMG DANA YOU JUST SPOKE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT” I started to tear up realizing my bravery to do that. And that I took that 20 seconds of courage and I ran with it for probably 5 minutes.
So I am in the process of tweaking my final proposal to HR Manager and I hope to send it to him within a few days. Please be praying for this situation that God will bless it.
What would you do with 20 seconds of Courage
Take Care. Much Love
