One Foot Planted

My 18-year-old son dressed himself up in his finest suit and took himself to a free swing dance lesson.  It was an act of courage.  Especially for the somewhat shy guy he is.

And it reminded me about how much we really need to step out to step into our lives.

To do that requires a sure sense that we trust ourselves enough to deal with the consequences of our action.  And how do we gain that self-trust, that sense of resiliency?  Only by doing, only by testing our steps and seeing our success along the way.  Or, even dealing with our failures.

It certainly helps when we have fans.  Those people who believe in us sometimes more than we believe in ourselves.  I have definitely had fans in my lifetime.  People who when I have wavered looked at me as though I had two heads, saying, “of course you can do that.”

One of those was Jason.  The very first guy who ever asked me to officiate at a wedding, his wedding.  We were coworkers, and he told me he wanted to have the person who officiated at his wedding be someone he considered really spiritual…and that was me.  Having never officiated at a wedding before, but so completely honored by his request, I could only accept the invitation. I have never had an experience like that.  I felt as though I was lifted by angel’s wings when I married this extraordinary couple.  So very much in love.  And so conscious these two were, Jason and Jess, that their relationship was more meaningful than anything else they would encounter in their lives.

I officiate at weddings very often now.  Each one is unique.  Each couple is a gift to me in my life.  Each one honors me by allowing me to be present at this particular juncture of joining.  Actually now I can’t imagine my life without the joy of performing weddings, or celebrating the lives of people who have transitioned at their funerals, or helping to bring a joyous life in through a baby naming.

In some ways, it’s about trusting that the universe has brought you the next step.  Swing dancing.  Stepping out.  Gently, walking softly on the path.  Hear it.  Feel it.  Trust it.  Try it.