One morning Hoda and Kathy Lee were interviewing Tara Sophia Mohr, author of "10 Rules for Brilliant Women". She was listing some of the things mentioned in her book, but the one that caught my ear was number 3 - Gasp. Start doing things that make you gasp and get the adrenalin flowing. (And we're not talking sexually here- :) ) Ask yourself, “What’s the gasp-level action here?” Your fears and a tough inner critic will chatter in your head. That’s normal, and just fine. When you hear that repetitive, irrational, mean inner critic, name it for what it is, and remember, it’s just a fearful liar, trying to protect you from any real or seeming risks. Go for the gasps and learn how false your inner critic’s narrative really is, and how conquerable your fears.
This led my brain to the movie I.Q. (You know the one where Meg Ryan is a super smart mathematician and niece to Albert Einstein and Tim Robbins is a mechanic who is in love with her.) In it he asks her " When's the last time *you* said Wahoo?" Well that kind of stopped me; when was the last time I Wahooed? I can't truly remember.
I think, for most of us, life with its responsibilities tends to make us seek the safer side of life. You don't want to disrupt the family or get hurt or take the time, etc. But I feel it's important not only as a writer to experience new things but as a person. I don't know why but I've been feeling the tug of that need more and more lately.
I think, for most of us, life with its responsibilities tends to make us seek the safer side of life. You don't want to disrupt the family or get hurt or take the time, etc. But I feel it's important not only as a writer to experience new things but as a person. I don't know why but I've been feeling the tug of that need more and more lately.
I almost had a wahoo moment when I went to N. Carolina. I was seriously thinking of going paragliding, which would have been a big deal because I'm afraid of heights. But I decided not to because I felt $60 for an hour and a half, of which 15 minutes was air time, was too much. Besides what would my family do while I'm off on some personal adventure? I felt guilty. So I didn't do it. But I'm still kicking it around for the next time I go down there. (If I do I'll try to record it so you can all have a good laugh) I think it's time I started hitting those safety walls.
So when was the last time you said wahoo? Plan a few. Maybe even ask your husband if he'd like to join you on one. He probably needs to say wahoo too.
Great thoughts, Donna! Yes, we need more of that in our lives. I do mini-gasps with nature that I see around my house, but your post reminds me how much I want to ride the roller coaster that opened up nearby a couple of years ago. I will definitely be wahoo-ing when I go down that first drop! The paragliding sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting again, Donna. I've been wahooing a lot lately. When I opened my first box of books and saw my name on the front cover, I said "Wahoo!" When Kristan Higgins, NY Times and USA Today Bestseller, gave me a wonderful review of Heaven Is For Heroes, I said "Wahoo!" And of course when I saw my indie-published debut novel made it on the Publisher's Weekly review sight, I said "Wahoo!" Being newly published is a big Wahoo for me, but riding the adrenalin rush is a bit exhausting. I'm thinking that at this point, a good night's sleep will be a big Wahoo moment for me:-)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you're saying, Donna. I have a horse and each time I ride I have my Wahoo moments because it's scary but fun and sometimes terrifying, but I do it anyway because it makes me feel WAHOO -ee.
ReplyDeletePatti
Thanks for this post. I rarely say Wahoo. I'm too wrapped up in trying to get somewhere. Maybe I need to do it once in a while?
ReplyDeleteI've thought about going skydiving. My husband knows a guy who is a certified instructor. I think I would enjoy the adrenaline and the fear. :D
Hi Donna! Great post. It was worth the wait. :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as yelling "wahoo," I'm thrilled to say I experienced two in the past week! On our recent Key West getaway I braved the possibility of motion sickness to accompany my husband on a small fishing boat. Not only did I feel well, but I fully participated, catching fish after fish that I later ate! Wahoo!!!
The second incredible experience was flying on a 10-person seaplane from KW to Dry Tortugas (a fort and snorkling destination). I've always feared small planes but I conquered my fear and had the absolute time of my life! (I can't wait to post about it in a few weeks at my blog.)
Definitely push your limits. In your writing and in your life. It's too short to be ruled by "fear" or "what-ifs." I think my attitude changed a lot after a number of losses made me let go of the worries.
I look forward to hearing about your "wahoo" moment!
Thanks Jolyse. Wow those are definite WAHOO moments. I especially like the seaplane ride. That must have been fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you going to do for an encore?
Skydiving Catie? Yikes! As I said I'm afraid of heights. I wouldn't be able to do that. You're a better woman than me if you go for it and why shouldn't you? Tell us all about it. Maybe even yell Wahoo as you sail down.
ReplyDeletePatricia, I agree horseback riding can hold many Wahoo moments. The freedom and power one feels while riding can be exhilarating.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you let your mind wander a bit as you ride you can become one of many characters with their own stories.
Oh those are wonderful Whaoos, PJ! Congrats! I hope we all get to experience them too. Hope the wahoos keep coming. :)
ReplyDeleteGo for it Julie! Wahoo roller coasters, Yeah!!!
ReplyDeleteYou should totally do it!
ReplyDeleteWahoo!
Hugs,
Wahoo Sallie! I'll have to wait until next year at least before trying it. I'll try and think of something to do in the mean time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous post. I haven't wahooed in years! lol. I do love the sound of it though. Just writing the words made me smile. :-) I hope you do go back to NC and try paragliding. That you considered it shows there's a wahoo in you just itching to get out. :-)
ReplyDeleteI know just writing and/or saying the word Wahoo makes me smile too, Debbie. It's a fun word.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything you can think of that you could do to make you Wahoo? If you can then try to make plans to do it. We all must wahoo once in awhile because it makes us feel alive. :)
Yes, actually, there is something that would make me wahoo. lol. It's a simple thing really. Finish another book. My writing has taken a back seat to other important stuff - life, you know - and so finishing my wip would give me a wahoo moment long in coming. That shall be my wahoo goal! :-D
ReplyDeleteLol! You know, I've probably seen IQ @ some point but I can't remember it for the life of me. I believe it's on cable and shall make an effort to catch it and think of you :) I plan on stealing that "fearful liar" line also and call myself this when self-doubt is rearing it's ugly head. Thanks, Donna ;)
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great Wahoo moment, Debbie. Now go get it done! When you do, tell me at one of the LIRW meetings and we'll say Wahoo together. :)
ReplyDeleteSelf-doubt is ugly and I'm sure all of us have seen it more than we wanted to. Besides being an ugly bugger it's also resilient. That's what friends are for to help you get over those rough times and also bats to knock them out of the way when the line "fearful liar" doesn't work. :)
ReplyDelete