I *Heart* this question…

What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

I first read this question in the book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. I got interested in her message after hearing her Ted Talk during a women-focused training back in 2014. That question stuck with me.

Ted Talk Link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18uDutylDa4)

Ever since, this question has helped me frame many decisions. It has been kind of a guiding light to know if I am not pursuing something consciously or if I am avoiding it because of fear. The words fear and afraid are broad. I understand that. Being afraid could mean: afraid of the effort, afraid of the consequences, it has different meanings to each individual, but from the most general perspective, I would dare to say fear is fear.

This question helped me pursue running, 4 years ago; this Sunday I am running my first marathon. I am not a “fast” runner, I am not the most resilient runner but 4 years in, I am not afraid anymore of trying new distances or committing to a long term running goal.

This question, was also key when in 2015 I wrote in a napkin the first draft of my writing savings plan. The title of the napkin was: Writing Year/One year without income.

The answers could sometimes take several iterations or even several years; the execution of the answers could take even longer, but facing the question is the first step.

I love asking myself: what would you do if you weren’t afraid? It really does help me, maybe it helps you too.

So, today what would YOU do if YOU weren’t afraid?

M.

I searched for the napkin, it is hidden somewhere in one of my 87 notebooks. While I look for it, CS Lewis magical quote seem appropriate.

About Life Theories & Cheerleaders

My life theory is the following: wherever we go, let us invest in love, kindness, gratitude and attention towards people. Why? Simply put, it is a true investment that brings the most special returns.

One of the forms of return is a unique network of life cheerleaders; people that love us, support us and genuinely wish us the very best. Life cheerleaders can be found everywhere and anywhere.

I believe it is similar to the soulmate theory, but I would dare to say, less profound. It is a universal belief that soulmates are scarce; however, this is not the case for life cheerleaders.

Life cheerleaders, do not (necessarily) need to be close friends or part of our intimate support system. Life cheerleaders, are just people that irradiate positivity and well wishes towards us, every time we crossed their minds.

Who are your life cheerleaders? What lives are YOU cheerleading?

M.

About goals, journeys and progress…

It is one of the truest truths that one is always in search of a goal.

Goals give us meaning in many ways; goals also define the journeys we choose to travel.

With a goals and journeys comes a third element: progress. I have always seen progress as the bridge between the journey and the goal.

More often than not we tend to be very vocal about the actual goal and the progress and not so much about the journey. As it should.

I genuinely believe that the true journey for it to be true needs to be within. The true journey is the one that comes with self companionship and is shared between our own brain, heart and soul.

This is one of the reasons why this blog feels sometimes out of my comfort zone, here I intend not to share only my goal and progress but also my own personal journey.

Thank you for reading me,

M.

The Day After my Last

Yesterday, August 23rd, 2019 was the last day at my corporate job. I went in to the office, to deliver my phone, laptop, car, badge and the last thank you’s not only to my former manager and some colleagues, but also to the company. This last part I did it silently while seating in a conference room. I wanted to leave positive energy and gratefulness as I remembered all the highlights of the last 8 years, one last time within the office space.

If you read the “About Me” section of this blog you know that I am a runner. If you stick around and continue reading my blog; you will see a lot of running analogies, so here is the first one:

Runners use heart rate zones to measure the intensity of a specific training. The zones go from one to five, 5 being maximum intensity/uncomfortable pace. Zone 5, is when you are doing speed sessions, is the pace where you can feel your heart in your throat. I thought today I would be having zone 5 feelings.

Not sure why, but I was prepared for maximum adrenaline, either intense happiness (the I-am-finally-free feeling) or intense sadness (It was 8 years after all and it is a great company!).

Zones 2 and 3 are my favorite zones. I liked to called them: ” The run-forever-zones”. These zones are light and moderate however sufficiently aerobic, at least for me it is at this pace, that I feel that I could run forever. I see these zones as peaceful and conscious running.

Today I felt at ease, my heart was not having zone 5 feelings. I felt lighter, balanced. I felt consciously serene.

I felt ready to write forever.

M.

PS: I genuinely think hand written thank-you notes should make a comeback! Sharing the thank you note I wrote to the company yesterday. (I will be keep it in one of my shelves)

Who is this wannabe writer?

From corporate logistics to blogging and writing!

Hola! My name is Marcela and this is figuratively and literally my leap of faith. After 8 years of working in corporate logistics, I placed my resignation and decided it was time to pour my energies, heart and focus towards achieving one of my ultimate dreams: becoming a published writer.

Last year I started an Instagram page: @emandtheshelf, page is focus on book reviews, poems, thoughts and perspectives.

This blog is the transition of the Instagram page. Here, I will share the creative process of writing my first book and hopefully getting published.

Have always described myself as a professional learner, when I am not learning something new, I am either reading, writing, traveling, running half marathons or drinking coffee and/or wine.

During the next 52 weeks, Em and the Shelf Headquarters (my apartment really) will be located in the cold but ever lovely Copenhagen, Denmark.

It is an honor that you read me, thanks for cheering my life and my adventures.

M.