Standing outside the fire

I've been listening to a lot of Garth Brooks lately--hence the title. Garth Brooks makes me reminisce about siting next to my dad as he drove our '89 Silverado. He'd always sing along to the country music as we bumped along and I always found a way to fall asleep on his shoulder no matter how long the trip was. It's something I haven't thought about in a very long time. That is a very special memory that I'm glad I get to have with my dad. I hope he remembers those times too.

Apart from the childhood sentiment, Garth Brooks has also brought some inspiration lately. I'm very big about song lyrics. That's why I'm not in love with rap or the popular hip/hop stuff. I love to listen to lyrics that inspire me. These are the lyrics that got me thinking: Life is not tried, it's nearly survived. If you're standing outside the fire.

I would never call myself a big risk taker. But I'm beginning to think that I am in certain aspects of my life. I mean, I went to Australia for 5 months and didn't know anyone. While I was there I went skydiving, scuba diving, and explored the country via bus and plane completely alone. I'd like to consider that risky. I'm also an emotional risk taker....which sounds stupid. I'm usually the one willing to forgive or try things again or give more of my heart or put myself out there to friends. My mom has always told me I don't put up enough of a guard, which may or may not be true sometimes. It is definitely something I've learned over the past year or so. But I've always believed that there's no reason to hold yourself back in any sort of friendship or relationship. There's no use in that. I know that leaves me much more vulnerable to getting hurt (and that definitely happens quite a bit), but the positive outcomes are also much more worth it. Anyway, the Garth Brooks song got me thinking about taking more risks with goals I have for myself. Like graduate school or other personal adventures I've had for myself--like selling my handmade cards or learning to play guitar.

I don't want to just survive life. I'm definitely going to start pursuing more of my dreams that I typically toss aside because I've been too scared of failure. One exciting part about all of this is that I don't need to be scared of not achieving God's plans for me because Proverbs 19:21 tells me: Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. I can pursue my goals and dreams with full force because my steps are being guided and planned by a God who knows me best. So as Garth says it, I can't abide standing outside the fire.