Moxie week is half over and I feel like I’ve just been tiptoeing into it. I had some big idea to make some type of large splash but I just haven’t gotten my moxie groove on!
When I first decided that Moxie was going to be one of my habitsI distinguished that many of my favorite memories included quite a bit of Moxie. While in high school I decided my family should host an exchange student for a year. I was planning to go myself at some point (AFS Austria 81/82) so it seemed only fair. The only stumbling block, no one else in my family thought it was a good idea. I just ignored this fact and signed us up for a family interview, completed an application and got my Dad on board to possibly do it temporarily if a real host family couldn’t be found for the nice girl from New Zealand. By the time my family convinced the people that interviewed us that we “could be” a suitable host family in a pinch I knew that Romola had her permanent home for the year. We just couldn’t send her application back…
When I was in my twenties I had a job I did not enjoy in an industry (teleconferencing) I thought was fun so I just started calling around the country from the desk of the job I did not like and offered my services. Within two weeks I was moving to the Kansas City area to work at American Teleconferencing Services. To this day, I remember making the first phone call to talk to “someone interested in hiring a teleconferencing sales person.” It was pretty gutsy considering I did it seated at my old desk and within earshot of my old boss. I’m also pretty sure my Moxie was one of the things that contributed to my getting hired.
When I was not in a longer term relationship my dating style was filled with Moxie. I embraced internet dating long before it became mainstream and dated people from all walks of life. I participated in all sorts of singles events, joined dating services, even had a profile posted in a singles magazine and responded to want ads. When friends said it was hard to meet someone I would meanwhile keep my calendar filled and always had fun doing it. Dating was a game and I was very spunky and brave about the whole thing.
Remembering makes me realize how complacent I have been getting:
Since getting married and falling into my beloved mommy job I haven’t created many opportunities for moxie. I let my Sweetie handle any annoying situations and generally don’t stick my neck out very far in social or business situations. Bravery like many skills needs to be used or one starts to lose it. When in my twenties I wouldn’t think twice about speaking up or trying something daring but I can definitely tell I am less willing to do so now.
Starting today I’m going to shake things up!
- I will do something unexpected and brave. For example, I will go out of my way to meet a neighbor, strike up a conversation with a stranger, offer my opinion on the website of someone I respect, rather then just reading and watching. I will ask if there is a way I can get a better deal when I am shopping instead of unconsciously paying full price. In short I will step outside of my comfort zone, I will create opportunities to be brave and speak up instead of quietly going about my business.
- I will research people who have displayed Moxie and I will read the book “Women of Courage: Inspiring Stories from the Women Who Lived Them” by Katherine Martin. I will find inspiring quotes about courage and daring and share them on the facebook page and with people in my life to inspire us to be more daring!
Have you also been letting your moxie slide? What moxie will you show today?