Be Brave

We've been really into the Olympics here in the Schmitt household. The past week we've tuned in almost every night to watch our favorite athletes compete against the best in the world. I have personally grown quite attached to those adorable "Fab Five" gymnasts as well as the super humble and smiley women's swimming team. I've grown so attached to them in fact, that I told Paul they kind of feel like my friends. I've been thinking about why this is, what it is about these people that draw me in. Is it their incredible athletic abilities? Or perhaps NBC's coverage of their real life stories? And I think I've kind of figured it out.

They make me want to be brave.

I watch them get out in front of the whole world and try to perform their very best. And usually they do. But sometimes they don't and there's always that chance that they're going to mess up in front of millions of people. I think that's so brave!

You see, for the past while, really the past 7 months, I have been preparing to open up this little shop. Now it may not be Olympics worthy, but it has been the place where I have poured my energy and time and thoughts. I have nitpicked over details, changed my mind a thousand times, asked close friends and family for advice and studied other shops and businesses. And even though each piece has been carefully considered, there has been one huge missing piece these past weeks. And that was the courage to open. I haven't been very brave. Now I don't know if it was the adrenaline rush of watching the Olympics this past week, or just the fact that my heart and soul are finally ready, but over the weekend I gave myself the push I needed to wrap up a few loose ends, and finally press publish.

I knew I would never feel totally ready, and I know that I'll always want to revise my designs and strive for "better." But I feel so relieved to have finally taken this step. Sure, I might mess up. And no, it probably won't be live in front of millions of people (thank goodness!). But for me, opening up shop is a jump worth taking. Because otherwise there is no chance of winning gold!