Why Not?

I love the movie, We Bought a Zoo, staring Matt Damon.  I love what his character, Benjamin Mee says, "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.  Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery.  And I promise you, something great will come of it."  I can attest that this is true.

I remember water-skiing the very first time at about age 10.  Our family friend, Ernie Stark, was pulling me in his little boat, and he was so kind and patient, and my Dad was kind and patient.  I was petrified, but I kept saying to myself, "I can do it! I can do it!"  I literally said this to myself out loud!  I was scared of the deep water and the fish and other unseen things in the depths.  Creeeepy!  But I used twenty seconds of insane courage, and got up on my first try (two skis)!

I'm grateful my parents had us try many things growing up.  You just don't know what you can do til you try.  Our oldest son didn't know he could be a sprinter til he found (less than) twenty seconds of insane courage his senior year and did it.  And he beat his athletic cousin!  Proud Parent moment.  Our daughter didn't know she was brave enough to jump off a cliff into the water at Havasupai til she found twenty seconds of insane courage and did it.  Of course, the most important thing we get from these experiences is that we realize....I can do hard things.  I can face scary things.  I am stronger than I think.  Suddenly, our world expands and we see more possibilities in view..  Because, why not?