Don't think, just _______

Those who know my house understand that as spunky and spontaneous as we are, we operate with careful precision and routine. It might be the order in which we come home from work, who the first to loosen up at a dance party always is, or the questions we always ask each other (What are you wearing to church? or "So.... Who do you like?"), the Holla House is actually pretty predictable. The predictive phrase that's caught me as particularly funny lately is our:

"Don't think, just ______."

Let me give you some examples:

1. With the use of cell phones. Whether it be texting something risque, or calling that certain someone--it's better not to think too much about it. "Don't think, just text."

2. In scary situations. This weekend Michele and I went to a "water-park-ish" place that had a 35. ft platform. Standing at the top, Mich had a hard time getting herself to jump. Firmly planted on my pool chair some 35-feet below her, I kindly encouraged her by yelling loud enough for the entire park to hear, "Don't think, just jump!"

3. Email. A certain roommate's ex popped back onto the scene after a 9-month quasi-hiatus through email. The methods we used (and by "we," yes, I mean all of us) to construct a reply are a blog in and of itself, but the guts used to summon the courage to hit the "Send" button were gathered in part due to the war cry, "Don't think, just send."

We understand the problems the "Don't think, just ____ " statement could eventually get us into. But for now, it's most typically used to force ourselves into potentially embarrassing situations. So give some credit for trying and making ourselves vulnerable. For vulnerability is the catalyst for personal progression.