Stepping Outside of the Box

Over the course of about a year, I had been captivated by a particular pair of earrings.  I repeatedly picked them up to gaze at them.  They were pretty and I liked them, but I inevitably would put them down once again. I told myself that

they weren't really "me." After thirty years of keeping my lobes a dangle-earring-only zone, I didn't feel it was a good idea to step outside the box to try something new. Nevertheless, these small earrings captured my attention and I couldn't seem to get them out of my mind. 

Eventually, I couldn't help myself. After picking them up—again—I tried them on. Convinced that I shouldn't rock the proverbial boat, one person claimed that they just weren't "me," while others couldn't contain their glee for the beauty these new earrings were offering me. It seemed to me that both sides of the opinion coin were acting as the inner dialogue within myself. The affirmative voice was coming from Spirit, while the negative voice was from my ego. I just had to decide which one I was going to listen to.

Finally, after having to pull out one of my long earrings from the winter scarf I was wearing for the umpteenth time, I had had enough. I was tired of having my head suddenly lodged to one side because the long earring entangled itself in the folds of my wrap. A small pair of earrings would not have this issue. That was the clincher that helped me to decide. I bought the earrings—and I am grateful that I did. They may be different than anything I have owned in the past, but they appeal to my sense of adventure. I have chosen to take a leap of faith, even in just this small way, and it feels good.

Always trying to find the larger metaphor in every experience, it occurred to me that we often get stuck in a rut. Whether the rut is determining whether a pair of earrings is right for us, or if it means we are supposed to move across country, change jobs or anything at all, oftentimes we just stick with the status quo, because it is safer and because it is what everyone expects of us. Unfortunately, fear of change keeps us exactly where we are without any chance of moving forward.

Now, fear can be a good thing, when it is meant to save our lives, but often we stick steadfast behind it, instead of reaching to our fullest potential. Well, I say it's time to say YES to the possibilities. If we have an inkling to try something, there is a reason for it. This is the Universe's way of speaking to us—through the voice of inspiration. Once we take whatever leap we are meant to take, we can then skyrocket into our own greatness.

So, take time to step outside the box. Or better yet, break down the box all together.  That is when our innate creative juices come flying out and we are ready to soar.

Thank you for reading and Namaste! (The Light in me recognizes the Light in you!)

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