On Being Bold

I've had this idea for along time.

I have listened to the idea get louder, then softer , then louder than before.

I have played with trying to manifest my idea for years. But it never really worked out.

Then the Red Sea parted. It was time.

When something is suppose to come to fruition, that is how it usually happens for me.

After all of these years what feels like swimming upstream, I finally decided (eight short months ago) to stay in the boat and face down stream. No more holding onto the branches on the side of the banks. I even made a pact with my team to stay in the boat and make sure no one was going to paddle the other way.

So far, it is working.

Things are popping.

I met this guy who introduced me to this other guy, who told me to call this woman who was an expert at what I wanted to learn, and needed to learn to get this thing going.

And now, I am sitting at the Westin in Seattle, ready to present my idea, my new product tomorrow.

I feel excited, scared, and ready.

But mostly, I feel Bold.

Just staying in the boat...

Terry Hatcher Rocks...

Ok, so who's the Bravest girl I just saw on Oprah?

Terry Hatcher.

There she was, a gorgeous 45 year old, single Mom letting us all in to her world at 5 am..

Watching her self made video of getting up while still in bed was shocking.

I could feel my nose start to crinkle up and my eyes go narrow.

Was I cringing?

Did I want to see her without any makeup?

Yes and No.

It was that similar feeling I get when I know I am about to see a car crash.

One eye is open and the other is kinda shut and yet I can't help but look.

I wasn't sure I wanted to see the real thing.

Did she just shatter the Hollywood Bubble that no one ever really shares about?

And on Oprah no less?

Uh Yes.

So there she is, makeup free.

Suddenly, I start to feel braver myself and I have not done a thing!

I travel with her to her set where I watch her transform to her Susan character on Desperate Housewives.

I started to feel liberated!

How many times this past week have I asked my 11 and 13 year old, "don't I look better like this?" as I pulled back my skin by my cheekbones, trying to reverse gravity.

"Windblown , Mom, stupid idea", they said every time.

"But technology is there for a reason", I wimper, knowing that I doubt I could really go through with it.

Then Linda Evans said something spectacular on the same Oprah episode.

She said that, it is easier to become less critical about yourself then change what you are critical about.

I felt one of those Sighs coming on, the exhale when you know you are hearing the Simple Truth.

The absolute irony is a few hours before all of this, I was at the NY Fashion Trade Show launching my new Spring 2011 Collection. I saw someone who I know had "work done".

She still looks like herself, quite amazing and "fresh" as people like to say.

I actually went up to her and asked her for her doctor's name!

She gave it to me and I quickly jotted it down on a napkin and tucked it away in my bag feeling like I may have just won the secret lottery.

I was so happy just to have it, like fresh ammunition to fight against another day of aging .

And yet, deep down inside, I can't really admit that I would use it.

After watching Terry, I felt more courageous again. I love that when one of us does something brave, we too can feel more brave.

So tomorrow, I will head back to my Fashion Trade Show again.

But this time, I will not be as nutty about my laugh lines, eye lines or any lines!

I have people like Terry and Linda to thank for that who remind me what I already know.

It will always be an inside job.

And right now, in this moment we are Perfect in our Imperfectness.