Changed By Change

So here's the thing...

Change happens.

I tell you what, I'm always shocked when I walk past a mirror and see my image. I think, "Who is that and what happened to HER?"
Oh.
Then I stop and look closer and recognize some of the original parts are still somewhat recognizable:
The brilliantly white teeth,
The sparkling eyes
The crazed expression on my face.

The changes are just as obvious, especially the 'platinum highlights' I've embraced these last few years.
My taste has changed as I experiment with this 'old is the new black' lifestyle. I take risks (like leggings-they are easy to wear if you don't mind feeling like you forgot to put your skirt on before leaving the house). I have also gotten a real kick out of watching the reactions of my friends and family when they see what I'm up to next.

Wait, I've ALWAYS gotten that reaction....

Change means we move toward positive stuff  like fun, personal interests, exploring new places and things.

Change also means we move away from downers like stagnation, boredom, routine, stale mindsets, and lack of imagination.

 I think it's okay to reinvent yourself occasionally. What's the worst that can happen?

You can always go back home and get your skirt.

Overcoming Freakouts

Whew! I feel better now.

For a while there, the thought of trying to plan and perform in an event kind of made me freak out.

I almost swallowed my uvula.

But with the encouragement of good (?) friends, plans are still rolling to host 'An Evening with Karen Wasoba' on Friday, September 9.

The venue may change, so I will let you know when I find out for sure.

When I encourage folks to take risks and try things out, please know I'm aware of the fear and uncertainty such risks involve. It's freaky and scary and waaay easier to forget about it completely.

The point is to keep moving forward anyway.

I'm amazed by the positive comments I've received regarding this upcoming event.

It sounds like many folks are planning to attend and enjoy it. I'm also aware of how many potential hecklers will be coming. Those are the ones who forget I probably have a thing or two to say TO or ABOUT them...

Here's a warning:

Don't mess with a stressed woman who's menopausal; one hot flash and it's OVER!

I'm just sayin.'

Practicing What I Preach

So here's the big news:

On Friday, September 9, 2011, I will be hosting an event in the chapel at Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, MO.

I plan to speak that night, sharing my light-hearted perspective on everything from self-esteem, men, parenting, and whatever else comes to my mind at the moment.

I've been urging my clients/friends/readers to stretch themselves, take risks. Do something that fits your talents and interests, I nag.

I remember an old saying, 'Those who can't do, teach.'

I sort of believe it but I think many of us could do more in our lives if we just give it a try. We don't always have to be on the sidelines wondering if we could have been successful. It's okay to give stuff a try.

Before I sound all noble, let me say this:

I do have a safety net for this fun evening I'm planning. I expect my audience to have a good time, all the while laughing either with me or at me.

I don't care, just so long as they laugh.

So as I prepare to practice what I preach, let me challenge you to think about a few things you've always wanted to try. Pick one and get going!

Out of My Comfort Zone

Or maybe deeper into it. My comfort zone, that is.

I don't seem to think like most other folks.

While I'm generally respectful of the opinions of others, I tend to take a different approach to my outlook on life.

It doesn't take much for me to burst out laughing (NOT recommended at a funeral, as I've learned) simply because I have a running commentary in my head in response to what's going on.

My daughter Kari says I'm the only person she knows who can be alone in a room and start hooting and hollering over something. I tell her I'm the only one who gets the joke!

I've been (mostly) happily counseling for 12 years and I'm pretty experienced in teaching and encouragement.

What I've noticed is that overall, very few of us give ourselves permission to just enjoy our lives; apparently, as believers in Christ we're supposed to be very heartfelt and earnest.

Well, I'm here to tell you, laughter is good for you! It has healing power and forces us to surrender our self-control to the light-hearted moment. Any woman over 50 knows just HOW out of control we can be when we start laughing...Depends, anyone?

I'm planning an informal gathering in mid-September (exact date tba) for folks to gather to be entertained.

Um, by ME.

For quite a while I've wanted to share my ability to tell funny stories, and hopefully, get a chuckle or two out of my listeners. I'm not positive where it will all lead, but I'm willing to risk it.

So here goes. I'll be updating my blog with info as it comes in. I'm looking for a local place for us to gather (hubby Don says we can meet at the park but Honey, I'm not into inhaling bugs for ANYBODY).

Pray for me and pray for the attenders. Especially the attenders.

Thanks.

Courage to Change

Have you noticed how easy it is to encourage someone else to do something challenging, yet when you're the one being pushed to change it's an entirely different story?

I find myself constantly weighing and measuring what I say vs. what I do. I can acknowledge that it's one thing to urge a friend to try new things; it's easy to observe the outcome and, honestly, doesn't involve any personal risk.

But MAN, I seem to be reading from a different instruction manual when it's all up to me. Suddenly I can rattle off every excuse known to man why it's not going to work in my case. Any joy or excitement (or knowing God is blessing me) dissipates when I'm the 'chosen one.'

I remember when I was still in college- my best friend, Terrie, and I were very competitive about speech class. We were always somehow trying to get the best grades. In doing so, I think we motivated each other to a level of success I know I wouldn't have worked for alone.

Here's why:

Terrie loved speech, public speaking, and all things drama related. I, on the other hand, had stage fright and feared blanking out in front of my peers. The night before many speech days I'd pray for death, the Rapture, some freak accident. I'd beg the Lord to give the speech teacher amnesia. That there'd be a hurricane or tsunami that would somehow delay my turn in front of the class(without losing points, of course).

So, up comes a speech competition open to all students, but the speech students are required to enter. The best 10 speeches then got to speak in front of the entire student body (maybe 1,000 students) at chapel. Terrie was geared up for it, looked forward to it, and spent lots of time diligently preparing to move forward in the competition.

I, on the other hand, just focused on not forgetting my lines. That's all.

So the magical day arrives when they announce the 10 students' names; those chosen ones who will gleefully show their stuff in chapel on that special day.

I'm totally pumped- for Terrie. I'm all into encouraging her to accept she was going to be named and that she'd enjoy it. I strutted around acknowledging that I had a talented friend. I made a big big deal over pointing to her with a knowing look when the contestants names were being called.

And I was right! Terrie was named and I was so happy for her! She really deserved it.
But then... my name was called next.

So here's the point.

I totally wilted. I felt like the judge had just sentenced me to life in prison. I began crying in fear of having to move out of my comfort zone by speaking in chapel.

It was awful. My memories of those days and weeks in preparation are dim as I reacted in fear and looked at the challenge as a death sentence.

Back to now:

I'm being challenged right now to step out of my comfort zone. I'm excited and terrified. I can think of all the reasons why this step won't succeed. Depending on my attitude, I will either be a shining success or a dismal failure.

It's funny, really, how inconsistent we are. I have to be honest with myself to admit that the same rules of encouragement I apply to others must also apply to me. Stepping out in faith means believing God will sort it all out. My job is just to do the stepping.

I've got some stuff swirling around that I'm working on. Some new ideas and some risks I'm hoping to take. I'll try to keep you guys in the know about them.

By the way, I did fine in the competition. I prepared, walked forward when they called my name to speak, did what I could, and sat back down. I didn't win, but I lived to talk about it.

Some 35 years later.