It takes courage to

Leaning Tree - What's the deal with the tree?

One early morning I was sitting at the very tip of my backyard, which was essentially a mountain ridge.  I had my precious morning espresso in hand as I watched a perfect line of thick fog slowly lift off the lake.  On either side of this lake view were two mountains.  Imagine an upside triangle with the lake being the little tip at the bottom.  I knew at the time I was falling in love with the entertainment industry, specifically music business.  This was a new love affair.  Previously I had no idea there was such a force behind the songs that made me feel alive, seen, and understood.  I had no idea what I was doing but I knew I wanted to be a part of this business.  But I didn't even know what to call it.  And then...

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I looked up.

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And there, jutting out so confidently as if it had no idea it was different, was that leaning tree.  Just the one amid hundreds of other perfectly straight trees.  This leaning tree was the first thing my eye naturally landed on when my gaze went from my espresso back to the lake view.  I mean how could I not see it?  It was DIFFERENT.  

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If you're a creative, you might feel different.  You could be an artist, an entrepreneur, an idea generator, an athlete, a writer, a singer, a producer, or any number of things.  But mainly, you feel set apart.  You might feel like you'll explode if you grow like you're supposed to - straight up like the trees you see when you're walking in the woods.  But what if you want to lean out and see the sky from a different view?  What if you want to twist and turn and experience your growth differently?  

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You might stand out.  You might be noticeable.

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That's the point.  You were made to lean.  To be different.  To stand out.  So do it.  Chase that dream.  Build that business.  Develop that product.  Write that song.  Try out for that part.  Put yourself out there.  Be courageous.  

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DARE to lean.