at first, we just hit around. Taking turns, seeing how long we could keep it going. It was fun. I was doing well, able to make the ball go where I wanted it to. My serves were going in easily. My brain was happy. This is my speed - silly and fun.

But then, Adam suggested we play an actual game.

And my brain freaked out. I started looking at the courts around us (on both of which were high-level players getting lessons). They were better than me. I started noticing that Adam was looking over there too (probably because I was). Even he thinks they're better than me. My brain started running - I'm not good at games. I hate pressure. I haven't served in so many years (even though I was literally practicing my serves minutes ago).... on and on.

We often don't do the thing because we're afraid of what people will think. What will they say? Maybe they'll think I'm a bad person. They'll think I'm not good enough…

It's easy to buy into the idea that if we just had this one thing, everything else would be okay.

If we just had the right job, if we just had a million dollars, if we just had the right house, partner, friends, body type, whatever.

We think that having the thing will change everything. Then we can and will be happy.

But we know people who have our dream job that are miserable. We know people who have a million dollars and are still reaching for more. We know people who have all the things and are still thinking, "if I could just..."

Because, I'll let you in on a little secret…

I hear you. It's been a wild ride. ….

Our stress doesn't just pop out of no where. Just like plants grow from roots below the surface, our stress gains power when it's fed consistently. ….