Taking Chances

Earlier this week I had an idea for a new workshop series. When it first occurred to me, I thought, “Now that’s a pretty good idea. Wouldn’t that be fun to do?!” But my idea included someone I’ve only recently met, and I wasn’t sure she’d share my enthusiasm for this idea. So I talked myself out of it because I was afraid this other person wouldn’t like my idea, wouldn’t be interested in embarking on it with me, wouldn’t want to open her studio space for a workshop, would just plain think I was nuts.  Insecurities abounded!

Don’t we all end up there sometimes?

You know– that place where all we seem to hear are negative thoughts coming from our own heads, where nothing is good enough or worthy enough, where everything is “stupid” or “silly.” It’s the place where our insecurities speak louder than our reality. It’s an easy place to get to– and a difficult place to leave (almost like “Hotel California” where you check in but you can never check out… sorry, I digress.) So what can we do when we find ourselves there?

For me, taking a deep breath and a few steps back from the situation can help immensely. Sometimes a change of scenery is also useful in snapping out of those destructive thoughts- take a walk, switch from one task to another, maybe listen to some music, call a friend, make a concerted effort to *change* those thoughts. Counterattack with a reality check. (“Is this the greatest idea ever?? Probably not, but it’s also not nearly as horrible as my insecurities are telling me it is!”)

After a couple of days I was able to talk myself out of the insecurity hole by reminding myself that I’d never know what the other person thought unless I asked her, and I sent my idea to the other person– who thought it was fabulous! Sometimes we just have to put our ideas out there (despite insecurities and fear) because you never know what will come of them. If you never try, you will always fail.

If you’re curious about how music therapy and GIM fit into the picture, contact me for more information.  I’m always happy to answer questions!