Week 2

Challenge: Go to California Pizza Kitchen in the Kahala Mall for dinner, by yourself. Sit at the counter, any open seat, but preferably in the middle of the counter so that you have people on either side of you. Have a good dinner (or at least as good as you can get at CPK), and possibly engage in conversation with the people on your left or right.
Submitted by: Barry M.

When this challenge was sent to me, I laughed, because at the time it seemed impossible. I figured that Time would be friendly, and issue this challenge when I was ready. But I was wrong. So wrong, so wrong.

The Monday that I selected this challenge, I almost cried. I spent hours online for three days, Googling "how to eat alone at a restaurant." Surprisingly, there were over a million results to my search. It turns out, eating alone can be a rather pleasant and enjoyable experience. I never would have thought. After reading a countless amount of blogs recounting solo dining experiences and other tips and tricks, I felt ready. I may have even been looking forward to it. From what I read, eating alone was romantic, and what I'd have to say after I'd done it, I was sure, would be poetry.

Wednesday was the day. DC drove me to the mall, and agreed to walk me to the restaurant. We walked across the parking lot, and my hands began to sweat. Maybe this is a bad idea. I could do this another day. Just not right now. Inside the mall, the California Pizza Kitchen waited. From thirty feet away, behind a cellphone kiosk, I surveyed the battlegrounds. It wasn't how I pictured it would be. There were too many customers. Too many high school students. Too many employees. Too many lights. Far too few tables inside to go about unnoticed.
I rushed past the entrance of the restaurant to get a better view inside. I rushed back to see if it looked conquerable. Nope.

DC was with me the entire time. He was very encouraging and seemed certain that I could complete this challenge. There in the mall, surrounded by strangers and a few of my greatest fears, I wasn't so sure. So when he bid me good luck and turned to leave, I panicked. I am ashamed to admit that at about this time, I reverted back to my 4-year-old self. I grabbed his arm and begged him to stay. I may or may not have cried a little as I pleaded for an out. When I was less of a child, I explained to him how much I longed for Boldness and that I would do just about anything to get it. Now, I take it back! I take it all back. I'm fine where I am. Don't make me do this. Don't make me go in there alone, even if I said I wanted to before! DC was firm. He was being a good friend. You know, the kind that makes you do what you have to, to be who you want to. The kind who knows better. So it's my fault, not his, that I am here now to tell you that I've failed to complete this challenge.

I'm sorry that I've let you down again, and that this apology seems to have little weight, but I mean every word. I've let myself down as well. Something has to change. I am not abandoning my quest for boldness, but I am going to find another path to get there. I still have everyone's challenges, and I still want to complete them all. The only change is that I'm giving myself longer to do so. This, I think, shall ensure my sanity for at least a few more years. And one day, you'll all see the me I'm meant to be.

Week 1

Challenge: Compliment a stranger.
Submitted by: Debra S.

This was my first challenge. When I randomly chose it, I was relieved that it was something relatively easy.

I was wrong. I walked around the campus at school, and I went out to eat a few times, and all those times, I was looking for an opportunity to say something,but I couldn't. I went to church on Friday night, and they have this thing about talking to the people around you before the sermon. They give a question to ask your neighbor, and though I could have turned around and talked to the people behind me, I chose instead to sit down and keep quiet.

There are no excuses. I had an entire week to complete this challenge, but I failed. Even though the week is over, I'm not abandoning this mission.

I've been putting off writing about this all day. When I began this mission, I sent out this letter. To all of you who've read it and replied, I've become accountable. Truthfully, after learning how difficult my mission is going to be, I've been regretting getting myself into this. I've toyed with the idea of quitting, deleting my letter, and taking a break from the internet until my silly scheme was forgotten. But I won't do that.

So many of you have written to me sending the sweetest encouragement. I'm amazed at how many of you actually believe that I can do this. I'm selecting a new challenge tomorrow, and I'm going to give it my all. I promise. Knowing that I have the support of so many great people makes it difficult to give up. Thank you.

The Letter

Dear Friends,

If I had one wish, I’d wish to be free.

Most of you know me to be shy, timid, or reserved. I can’t blame you for that. But I’m here now to change your mind. I’d resolved long ago to change, to be bold, and fearless, but have only now summoned to courage to begin. This is where I’m going to need your help.

In an effort to broaden my horizons, learn new things, and see from different perspectives, I will be completing one challenge every week for one year. I am asking you to give me one of the 52 challenges that I will randomly select every Monday. I hope that what you invite me to accomplish will encourage me toward boldness. My ultimate goal is to let me be me. (It’s not as simple as it sounds). It is completely up to you to decide what this challenge will be, however, please keep in mind the following:

Your Challenge Should Be:
- able to complete with little/no prep time OR be a behavioral-type practice which can be done throughout the week
- relatively cheap/free
- able to complete just about anywhere (however, I will be spending most of my time in Hawaii)
- challenging/thought provoking

Your Challenge Should Not Be:
- illegal
- rude
- dangerous
- immoral
- damaging

Your Challenge Can Be (but is certainly not limited to):
- a physical/mental challenge
- somewhere to go- a conversation/interaction to have
- music/book/food to check out (When it comes to meat, though, I only eat chicken, fish, and turkey.)
- a behavior to incorporate into the week
- a person to contact- something that changed your life
- something you wish you had done

Please Note: In an effort to get the most out of your challenge, please be as specific as possible (for example: “Go to the nearest park, run a mile and do 100 push-ups” rather than “Spend some time outside”).

Thank you.

Please fill this out and send the email to o_2683@yahoo.com or send me a message on Facebook.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE PROJECT
Your Challenge:
Name:
Age:
Email Address (if you would like to be contacted the day your challenge is being completed):