Fear of the things you don’t know or are not good at!

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Did you ever put something off because you didn’t know the right way to do something? Maybe because you weren’t good at it? Maybe because you just didn’t understand it and didn’t want to try and fail? There are so many reasons why we don’t do something. Everyday we make excuses to not change, but to stay the same. It is such a short life, might as well try something new, try something that is not comfortable, who knows maybe by trying, by opening a new door you will have many more doors to open afterward. As my father always says ” Failure is not, not succeeding, but rather never trying!”
Well, its taken me 3 months to write another post to my blog and three different times today to write this simple little paragrapgh. I started at 6 when I came in and now as I watch some of the workers leaving our Community I notice it is 5:00. I am not a good writer, I can’t spell, even with spell check. When I click on a word to make sure it is spelled right, it doesn’t come up with options, it comes up by saying, ” No Suggestion”! I can’t tell you how many times I have to change a sentence around so that I can use a different word.

I am writting this post today because I just don’t feel comfortable doing it, but I know that if I try it again and again I will be more accustomed to it and eventually I will like it. I also felt compelled to write this today because of the many people that are also changing. The many future residents of The Lodge at Old Trail are also doing things that are not easy, nor probably fun. They are looking through there house and seeing that they have sometimes over 40 years of possesions to weed through. I hear all the time, ” what should I throw away, what should I keep, what should I give to my children, goodwill, or auction.” The Lodge hosted a Downsizing Event 2 weeks ago that over 140 people showed up to learn more. We had 5 different experts talk about the real estate market, the way to downsize, to sort, to auction, even a great getlemen talking about actually packing and moving. I learned a lot as I feel most of the people who attended did. I was asked to go on a radio show about downsizing after our event because even if you are not moving, taking care of your house and your things is always cosumming. If we can just take one step at a time we can work through anything. Our thoughts can turn to reality.
I look out my office window and see my beautiful new Community The Lodge at Old trail, almost complete. If I had listend to other people , if I didn’t keep trying things out of my comfort zone, this new Community in the middle of a multi generational community would have never been built. Whether it is cleaning out a closet, trying new food, meeting new friends, building a 186,000 sq ft Community or even writting this grammitically incorrect, mispelled post on this blog, if you don’t try you will never know if you can do it.

As my Father said, ” Failure is not, not succeeding, but rather not trying!”

8 Comments

  1. Gayle Davies

    There you go again; practicing your preaching! We all need an understanding voice and you seem to have that. I’m sure it will serve you well in this new endeavor, David.

  2. Phil James

    Thanks, Mr. Hilliard, for your good words and personal example about trying things that are not easy.
    And that brings this question to mind: Will a set of keys to The Lodge’s old blue pick-up truck be left at the main desk so that residents of The Lodge can go riding whenever they want?

    • David H.

      Phil,
      Maybe! Hows that for an answer. I am sure that some of my residents will be able to shift that pre synced gear box better than me. As it is now I am happy that the gears are made of solid steel and that the grinding of the gears act more like a horn so that everyones know I am coming!

  3. Sharon Bolmey

    David,
    Thanks for the excellent post, be encouraged, I think you are a very good writer! I wish my parents had approached their downsizing in an organized manner. Not doing so was really horrible for them. Each time I visit your new neighborhood to go to the gym, or the hairdresser, I am astonished at the great progress. It will be exciting to have a community of new folks there!

    • David H.

      Thanks so much. You are right, very exciting! Isn’t it nice that my Community is walking distance to all tha Old trail Village has to offer. Come by the office and I will take you into the building if you like.

  4. Bonnie B Matheson

    Great Blog, David. Good for you for going ahead and writing it.

    I think pushing one’self to do things that one has never done is excellent training for life. Being a sort of stick in the mud, at this time in my life, it is great to have your reminder to push on.

    At the same time, there are many reasons to be proud of myself, at the great age of 70 I feel like a young girl much of the time. This is largely because I am working at things I know little about and forcing myself to build a new career at a time when many are retiring. It is exciting. And it is a shame more people don’t try it.

    Life is full of phases and it is important to embrace each new one with exuberant energy and a heart full of hope.

  5. Ellen Phipps

    Very inspiring blog! Thank you! I look forward to meeting your Executive Director, having a tour, and, talking about therapeutic activities!!!! This is my first official “blogging” thanks for opening that door!!! Ellen

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