Vulnerability Is Hard...

"Vulnerability is hard, and it's scary, and it feels dangerous, but it's not as hard, scary, or dangerous as getting to the end of our lives and having to ask ourselves, 'What if I had shown up? What if I would have said I love you? What If I would have come off the [starting] blocks?'"

This powerful quote from Brené Brown struck me last night as I was watching one of her popular talks online.

The phrase was part of her closing statement, the one meant to both touch our hearts (because we can relate to it), but also call us to action (so that we DO something as a result).

It got me thinking about the most vulnerable action I have ever taken--deciding to marry the love of my life.

You're probably wondering, "How in the world is that even a question???" but hear me out :)

You see, I have lived and worked abroad, I have learned new languages and connected with fascinating people, all while enjoying an incredible sense of freedom to choose where I was in the world.

And in marrying the love of my life, I knew that I would be signing up for a very different style of living--one where I would be connected to wherever his job sent us.
I knew it would mean eventually leaving behind a job and career I loved to start over (possibly multiple times).

And I needed to decide if I was OK with that.

It took a while, but eventually I was ready to take that deep plunge into a new unknown (and the decision by then did become a no-brainer!). I had to get through a whole lot of scary vulnerability first for my head and heart to click.

As hard as it was then, I'm so glad that I did.

Because it led not only to building a life with my favorite person in a new place that we have both grown to love, but it also gave me the courage to take OTHER vulnerable steps toward big goals, like reconnecting with music.

Fast-forward several years, and now I get to enjoy the fruits of some of those vulnerable steps with you!

If you're in the Houston, TX area, I hope you'll join me for several upcoming performances:

I hope to see you at one or both of these shows!

And remember--embracing vulnerability is hard. It can hurt. You WILL fail at times.
But "sometimes winning is not coming in first. Sometimes winning is doing the really brave thing." - Brené Brown

Ashley
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Whenever you’re ready… here are 2 additional ways I can help you develop charismatic communication skills to create the life you want:

• Find Your Why - I'll be hosting this FREE masterclass in early December in my Facebook group, Mastering the Art of Charismatic Communication.
• Amplify Your Impact - Start off the new year by taping into your powerful self. This special, multi-week (virtual) group course is designed to give you the foundational skills you need to level up your presence, boost your charisma and start asking for what you really want. The course will begin in January 2022. Spots are limited. Details coming soon!

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