Hello Blogworld! Now Let's Talk about Fear

Hello there, 

I'm Yuko and I have a confession to make.  Would you stay here for a couple of minutes while I share my story? 

I have dreams.  My dreams are rather like little pieces of desires trying to take some shapes.  There's nothing solid or great about them.  But I’ve had them slow-cooking inside for years waiting to come out.  But it never happened, and you know why? 

Fear.

I have a big fat fear sitting inside of my head, pushing my dreams and passions aside.  The fear convinces me to pack up my dreams and lock them up in the basement.  "It's going to be our little secret," the fear whispers, "so nobody is going to find out about them”  It also tells me I should play it safe and call what I love doing “hobbies," so I won’t make a fool out of myself when things don’t turn out right. 

What if people laugh at me?  What if they don’t like what I do?  What if all the gifts and talents I thought I had...I actually don't have any of them?  What if... What if...

Last weekend, I gathered up all those what-ifs and headed south to attend an event called, "At theBarn," held by an inspirational writer, Emily P. Freeman and her family.  Emily talks about uncovering the shape of our soul and what makes us come alive.  She encourages us to face our fear and still move forward.  80 strangers, from all different walks of life, came together at the barn to share our stories and encourage one another.    For me, it was a life changing event.  I am forever grateful I could be there to experience the magic.  

Steve, John & Emily Freeman, and me At the Barn

 
After my time at the barn, I decided to pack up my fear and keep it in the basement.  I told the fear not to bother me anymore.  I told it to stop calling my passions “hobbies.”  This is my turn to tell the fear what I am doing, instead of having it dictate my life.  It still speaks loud in my ears, actually louder than ever as I type this post.  But I remind myself that's the fear talking, and I immediately send it back to the basement where it belongs.   

What are my dreams, what makes me come alive, you might ask? 

There are two things I’m passionate about right now.  I love creating stories for children and illustrating them.  I also go crazy about creating a beautiful and meaningful home for our family.  I am the happiest when I’m creating something, using both my hands and imagination.  You'll be hearing some of my creative pursuits happening here at Northfield Gate. 

I also want to explore the "interior" design of who I really am here on this blog.  I want to tap deeper into what makes me come alive as I try to find joy in the every day.  It's time to uncover and embrace my own unique design, instead of pretending to be someone else.  It's like finding a thread that pulls all of my passions and dreams come together.  

I don't know where exactly I'm headed from here.  But I'm ready to take a leap of faith.  I hope you find something inspiring here too, something that speaks to you.  

image via Pinterest: leap, into the unknown!

So I'll hold my breath, and hit the publish button now.  Would you join me and see what unfolds from here?  Yes, I’m scared, but I’m doing it anyway.  Like my friend Joanne said, there's no "blog police" out there if I don't follow through, right? 

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Is your fear holding you back from achieving your dreams and becoming who you really are?  I'd love to hear your story.