Vanquish your fear, take the risk

Last night I wrote this on my personal Facebook page:

For years I circled my Cook Islands inheritance with trepidation. I was afraid I’d be told I didn’t belong. I let the fear that I’d never measure up hold me back. Maintaining the status quo was easier and less risky than immersion.

I am no longer afraid.

Don’t let the fear of not belonging keep you from something important. Dive in. You’ll be glad you did.

Spirit of Tivaevae: The Documentary is the story of Pacific women and the traditional art they love to practice. It’s also the story of finding a place in world where you thought you didn’t belong.

Will you join us? Together, we’ll tell this story to the world. Details here: bit.ly/tivaevaefilm

A few days ago I did an email interview and the reporter asked if I had made any self-discoveries in the process of developing the doco.

She may have gotten more than she bargained for on that one because three paragraphs later I had to force myself to stop writing and move on to another question.

Making this film has challenged me to my core.

I am not, by nature, a risk taker. However, bootstrapping a film together is a giant risky venture comprised of many smaller risks. All of that before we even get to the deeply personal subject matter.

Already I am changed. It was do or die. Embrace change and challenge like a friend or let dreams and purpose wither.

I didn’t know I had any of this in me. For the first time I look at the remaining challenges in the road and I smile. I am ready, bring it on.

Once you’ve had a proper taste of the freedom in taking chances, you can’t go back. Life is so much more meaningful out here in the risk-lands.

If someone as timid, shy and risk-averse as I have been can do it, so can you.

In the words of Hey, Sweat Pea:

Don’t wait for life to be perfect. Don’t apologize for rocky beginnings. Don’t take no for an answer.

Get out there and do the thing you were made to do. Become who you were made to be. Even the smallest, shakiest “yes” will get you started.

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