Failure

With the sound of ocean waves crashing in the background, I sat in a cloud-like chair this evening surrounded by four beautiful, powerful women to whom I am grateful to consider friends. We all come from completely different backgrounds, some different countries, yet we were still able to enjoy each other's company, sharing laughter, memories and an unforgettable sunset sprinkled with a magical pod of dolphins. I believe the time we shared today was in the plan since before we were born.

The topic came up regarding that ever so popular quote found on numerous paper-weights: "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail"? Thoughts of my life up to this point swarmed in my head like bees buzzing about frantically, searching for nectar. After a bout of silence, the word came to me. Love. I didn't want to say it aloud, but small and timid as the word was, it screamed out relentless, louder than an impetuous Hummer limousine screams "Hey look at me, look at me!!!!" I had to say it.

From the time I was a little girl, with a huge imagination and a serious faith in wishful thinking (later realizing I was actually tapping into creative visualization at a very early age), I have always gone after what I wanted with full force and accomplished what I set out to do, for the most part. One example, becoming a stand up comic. Shy as ever, with many issues to work out at the time, I did it. I did it until I no longer needed to. I've hoped to work with particular film directors and it has happened. I obsessed about a particular car for a year, I bought it. Have always wanted to live in Malibu...here I am. Very shallow hopes I know, but you get the picture.

So, what would I do then, if failing was not an option? As tears began to fill my eyes, I came to the realization that I would choose to LOVE with all my heart, mind, soul and strength...breaking down all walls, all barriers, expressing raw emotion and freely sharing joy with the utmost tribal strength, holding back nothing. No worries, no insecurities, no secrets, no games, no ego. Just me and another sharing individual moments, one at a time. A friend, a family member, a husband, a child: love.

Love is patient. Love is unselfish. Love is faithful. Love is kind. Love is hopeful. Love is confident. Love is unconditional. Love is hard. Time to get started.