The Distance Between Fear And Wonder

As we approach the end of 21 Days Of Gratitude, I want to rally us all to finish well. It might just be me, but this is where I’d normally quit. The job is mostly done. I feel like I’ve gained whatever I’m gonna gain. I get it – no new surprises. On to the next thing. But remember, we’re dealing with scientific fact here. 21 days straight can form a habit that will change your life forever. Hang in there if you’re struggling. Keep going! Let’s finish well! (Start now if you want to join us. There’s no magic start date.)

 

Today, I get to share a post with you from one of my favorite people on the planet – Youtube phenomenon and my dear friend, Anita Renfroe. Anita is hysterical (which is important for a comedian), but there’s more to her than a punchline. She’s also extremely smart and has one of the greatest hearts of anyone I know. We laugh because we relate to her every word, but she says what we wouldn’t think to say… or would talk ourselves out of saying out loud. I highly encourage you to connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. Her posts are among my favorites.

 

Don’t get me wrong – I like fine dining. I like a well-written menu with a kitchen staff that can make it a reality as much as the next girl. But if you put me in a good-n-cheap Mexican restaurant, and park my kids or grandkids within 6 square feet of me, with us all dippin’ and chippin’ and guacamole-in’, I’m just as happy as can be.

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The Dumbest Guy In The Room

 

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email that has stuck with me ever since.  Kate wrote, “I’m always so encouraged by your blog.  When I’m done reading it, I feel like I’m capable of more than I was before.  I want you to know that you’re changing my life post by post… How did you get like this?”

 

Your question cracked me up!  How’d I get like this?  My wife asks me the same question!  (I don’t think she means it as nicely as you do, though.)

 

Friends, I’m working my way through these concepts and challenges too.  I’ll admit it, though.  I’m braver than most people around me.  I’m happier, more fulfilled and successful than a lot of people in similar circumstances.  I can comfortably say that because I’m fully aware of how little credit I deserve for it.  How’d I get like this?  What’s my secret?

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Pandora’s Revenge

Several years ago, I sang on what should have been a routine recording session. There were about six of us singing well-known songs for karaoke tracks, and I was asked to record a solo on a break. After singing it through just once, the producer said, ‘Wow, Chance, I think we got it!” If you’re happy, I’m happy, I thought to myself. It wasn’t my best, but it wasn’t bad either. Plenty good enough for what we were doing.  No one’s ever gonna hear this anyway, I told myself. Ten minutes and I was done. On to the next thing.

 

I didn’t give it another thought until a couple of years later when that recording started popping up in other places. I began getting emails and phone calls from friends saying, “I heard you on Pandora!” Then I noticed it on a compilation. And another. And another. Before I knew it, that ten minutes of my life and work had a greater reach than almost anything else I’d ever done. Like it or not, it was out there – and I didn’t like it at all.

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Hi, I’m Chance. What Do You Love?

I was recently introduced to Carol through a mutual friend.  I could immediately tell she was a person I’d really enjoy.  I even got the sense I could learn a lot from her.  She just had a way about her.  Our friend did the normal introduction, saying something kind about both of us, and we followed the usual course of conversation.  She said, “Hi Chance.  So nice to meet you.”  I replied, “Hi Carol.  Great to meet you too!  So… what do you do?”

 

And that was the fatal blow.

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