This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Allstate. All opinions are 100% mine.
I remember when I first became a mom, someone told me that I’d now “forever carry my heart outside of my body” or something like that. You’ve probably seen a similar sentiment in Mother’s Day cards, engraved photo frames and sentimental artwork. At the time I dismissed it as a sappy quote said to all new moms, not realizing how true it could be.
And then one day, you have to let that child go to school, or go to the park without you, and suddenly fear grips you. Will she be OK? What if she falls off the monkey bars? What if something bad happens and I’m not there?
We really do carry our hearts outside of our bodies once we become parents. But we also can’t let fear dictate how we live our lives and keep us from missing out on the best experiences. I have to repeat this message to myself daily, because I really don’t want to miss out on the good life to prep for a disaster that never comes.
There are risks in anything that we do. If the news from the last year has taught us anything, it’s that we can’t count on any place, any event or any time to be totally safe. We could respond by barring our windows, never going outside, and never letting our children out of our sight, but then what kind of an existence would that be? We’d be willingly putting ourselves into a prison and missing out on all of the fun moments we could be experiencing.
I get held back by fear more often than I’d like to admit. But making that choice to not listen to fear has led to some wonderful outcomes, too. Had I not overcome my fear of auditioning and performing, I never would have made the choice to join the cast of a renaissance festival in college, and then never would have met my husband or many of the friends I still have today.
Had I not swallowed my fear of flying and overcome my worry about going to California in 2006 for a conference where I didn’t personally know anyone there (BlogHer 06), it’s possible I wouldn’t have continued blogging, met all of the wonderful people who have had an impact on my life, or had the fun and amazing opportunities that have come my way.
I have to admit that life has been good for us. We’ve had things get in the way at times, but it hasn’t stopped us from being grateful for all we have and continuing to pursue our passions. I hope our kids will take this message to heart as well. Just recently Mira denied her fear in order to ride new roller coasters at Cedar Point, and I was incredibly proud of her for not letting doubt get in the way of doing what she wanted to do.
I know that most of what we’re afraid of is far worse in our own minds than in real life. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be careful, of course – there’s a place for common sense safety, too. But anyone could have something randomly happen to them on any day – would you rather have been doing what you loved before it happened, or hiding away in the hopes you can escape all danger?
I know which one I’d rather choose. I hope I’ll remember to actively choose to embrace the good things in life each day and encourage my kids to do the same. My heart may live outside of my body now, but I want that heart to be full of joy and happiness, making the most of every day.
This is one of the reasons I like the new Allstate Good Life campaign. Seeing their new “Good Hands for the Good Life” commercial is a daily reminder to appreciate the good life we have and keep taking those chances for more amazing things to happen. If you have a moment, watch the commercial and see if it inspires you, too. (The little girl speaking in the commercial is adorable, too.)
What about you? I’d love to hear your Good Life stories. Have you had any moments where you made a choice to swallow your fear, and that choice led to great things in your life? What are you happy about in your life right now?
