Got the butterflies?

Your sixth grade speech teacher slowly walks to the front of
the class, looks over the top of her glasses at you and your classmates and
says, “Who wants to go first?” You take a deep breath and inch your hand up…

You grip the rope tighter until you could swear the palms of
your hands are starting to bleed. Your toes curl around the edge of the branch
as you envision yourself swinging out into space and dropping into the
cold-water creek below. You take a deep breath and jump…

You get off the lift and follow your friends around the
corner and past the turn off for the safe “blue” intermediate slopes and head
for “Widowmaker” the famous black diamond expert slope that goes directly under
the chair lift. Your friends literally disappear over the edge of the slope out
of sight. You stop just in time with your ski tips hanging out over empty
space. You watch your friends flying down the slope leaving you behind. You
take a deep breath and slowly lean forward…

When was the last time you really felt the butterflies in
your stomach? When was the last time you really put yourself in a position to
feel that anxiety, that anticipation of the unknown, that nausea fill your body
and your mind? When was the last time you almost threw up on your shoes you
were so nervous?

You know you were created to feel that feeling don’t you?
You weren’t created to follow the crowd doing the same thing day after day,
week after week without risk or without the hint of danger. Remember…when you
aren’t the lead sled dog…the view never changes!

As a summer camp director for 20 years I know the power of
the butterflies. The butterflies are the things that reveal the us that often
hides inside. It’s the butterflies that force us to face ourselves and really take
stock. It’s in our heart right now…that question…can we really handle it? Can
we really measure up and be brave or be innovative or be a success under
pressure?

Now I’m in the business world and find that I have to seek
out butterflies. It’s much more common to avoid the situations where I feel
uncertain or out of control or unsure of myself. To give in to that impulse is
certain death. I get used to the comfort zone and I’m not prepared to take the
risks when they really count. I’ll shrink back and let others go first. I won’t
lead. I won’t speak out. To stay ready and on my toes, I’ve got to get
reacquainted with my own butterflies. I’m betting you do too.

Maybe it’s volunteering to have Thanksgiving at your house
or jumping out of an airplane or going across the street to introduce yourself
to the neighbors…whatever you choose to do: DO IT NOW! You’ve got to feel the
butterflies again. Put yourself in a situation where you have to reach down
deep inside and pull out a little destiny and make it part of who you are.
Don’t go to sleep! Come on…take a deep breath and chase some butterflies!!