Sometimes it feels safer to hide, as Lotus well knows.

I know it too. I spent a lot of my life watching from the sidelines, afraid to jump in.

For instance, as a child I was afraid to jump in to games of jump rope. What if I tripped and fell on my face? What if I got laughed at?

As an adult, I had a lot I wanted to do and give – but it didn’t feel safe to be so visible. What if people didn’t like what I offered?

There are times when retreating and regrouping are exactly what’s needed. There are times when watching prepares us to act. There are times when we have to make sure we feel safe, above all.

And then there are times when we’re ready to take a risk, to start moving forward . . . one foot at a time.

As Anais Nin said, there comes a day when “the risk to remain tight in a bud” becomes more painful than “the risk it [takes] to blossom.”

Hiding is fine at certain times . . so long as it doesn’t become a habit. So long as you’re willing to finally come out and play!