It was windy last night. I can tell by the pile of drifted snow on the back steps. Fascinating how the wind decides to pile up snow where it does. Probably some physics and vectors behind it all. Though even then the steps are an odd place for it to congregate.

I suppose you never know. Like life, I suppose. Never know what the winds of change will drop at your door step.

In this case the winds of winter dropped several feet at my door. I pretty much tumbled off the steps since I could find the actual steps. Refreshing actually. No harm was done. I just had to let myself go. Trust that there was plenty of snow to cushion my fall.

I need to treat life like that. When the winds of change pile an obstacle in front of me I need to just tumble over the top and look for a safe landing. I guess that’s what they call taking a risk. You have to jump over but you don’t know what’s on the other side.

It takes trust. Not trust that you’ll land on the fluffy snow. Not trust that your landing will even be soft. But trust that you’ll be able to take care of yourself when you land. Trust in yourself.

Maybe we shouldn’t tell people they should take more risks. Risks sound dangerous and fear of risks sounds like weakness. We’re trying to motivate someone by telling them not to be afraid of the unknown. What does that even mean? It’s pretty abstract concept to grasp. And even if you can grasp it how would you apply it?

Instead of telling people to take risks and not be afraid of the unknown, we need to tell them to trust in themselves. To trust in the skills and experiences they have that will help them navigate new territory. Highlight the strengths and capabilities in them ready to be harnessed and applied.  Teach them to believe in themselves.

So many of us, though, don’t believe in ourselves. Low self-worth or low self-esteem. Hampering our ability to stand up to a risk. Keeping us from the rewards that come from risks.

So if you want a change of winds, look to your self-worth. I will end with some advice even Polonius would be proud of.

To thine own self trust and be true; leave fear-mongering to the fearful.

There are many good resources out on the web to improve self-esteem and self-worth.  Look you to it.