Face Fear

Last day of Bloganuary prompts. Tomorrow back to my own editorial calendar, and not a moment too soon. It’s been a refreshing change of pace, these last 31 days, responding to the whim and will of a remote, impartial, and incognito prompter. I’ve endeavored to correlate each day’s inquiry — even peripheral, less-than-pertinent prompts — back to our experience at Rosslyn. The results were sometimes surprisingly worthwhile. Other times they were testaments to persistence more than inspiration. If you stuck with me through and through, thank you. (Talk about persistence!) And if you took a breather, I look forward to welcoming you back. Tomorrow’s post will be 100% homegrown once again!

But before returning to my neglected editorial map, let’s dive into the final Bloganuary prompt above. I’ll reveal my cards at the outset by referencing the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Always do what you are afraid to do.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Much on my mind these last 18 months as I deliberate, hesitate, and vacillate, these wise words point the way but provide little morale-boosting bravado.

Vowing to be intrepid in the shadow of trepidation feels bold — for a fleeting moment — but generates only the faintest confidence.

After almost two decades of nourishing sanctuary at Rosslyn, Susan and I are negotiating a dramatic voltafaccia, navigating a long anticipated and overdue (but challenging) plot twist.

It’s time to relinquish our sanctuary. It’s time to move on. It’s time to anchor an assured and enduring resolve. It’s time to embrace the unknown and court creative risk. It’s time to plunge into a new adventure. It’s time to eschew comfort and safety. It’s time to embrace uncertainty. It’s time to turn toward trial and trepidation, not away. It’s time to consciously, judiciously, courageously let go. It’s time to imagine anew. It’s time to create a simpler, more distilled sequel to Rosslyn.

[NB: Especial thanks to Gloria Santoyo Ruenitz for guiding me into the realm of encaustic!]