Twenty years ago, I was knee-deep in navigating post-divorce life – one of the most terrifying, uncomfortable, lonely, and full of uncertainty times in my life. I forgot to eat, my ribs were showing, I had dizzy spells, and every ounce of “sanity” was channeled to maintain a semblance of “normal” for my young son. Once he was off to school, I crawled under the bed covers – it was the only place I felt safe.
And… I got through it!
From the lyrics sung by English singer Seal, this line became my mantra… “we’re never gonna survive unless, we get a little bit crazy” – it was my reminder that “crazy” was okay and I would survive!
I hadn’t thought about this song for years until I received this text from a woman I recently met with: “Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me today. Sometimes it really helps to talk to someone and have confirmation that I’m not crazy!”
There’s another line in Seal’s song that goes like this: “In a world full of people, only some want to fly.
Isn’t that crazy, crazy.”
The woman I met with wants to fly! She has a Ph.D., had a secure, well-paying career (she resigned the day before we met), and embodies what Hillary Clinton once said, “don’t confuse having a career with having a life.”
She’s chosen what I call COURAGEOUS CRAZY!
“Courageous crazy” comes in all shapes and sizes – it may be saying the word “no,” putting boundaries in place, beginning therapy, having that tough conversation, leaving an abusive situation for the unknown, or making a choice to step away from what feels comfortable into the zone of “am I crazy for doing this?”
One of Merriam-Webster’s definitions of crazy says: “marked by thought or action that lacks reason.” I ask, “whose reason? Yours… or theirs?”
One thing guaranteed is when you make a choice that pushes the boundary of your comfort zone, someone will think you’re absolutely “crazy”!
Keeping with the theme of the lyrics, rock on –– fly, fly, fly, and in the words of the late, great Jimi Hendricks, “Scuse me while I kiss the sky.”
Call me crazy if you wish – you do your thing, I’ll do mine!
If you’d like support navigating “crazy,” I’ll say this “it takes crazy to know crazy” – I know “courageous crazy” well! Email suzy@suzycarroll.com to schedule a time to talk!
PS. Little known fact – I’m a rocker at heart (with a bit of blues, dash of techno and hip-hop, and even occasional classical). Born in the 60’s, grew up in the 70’s – it’s in my blood! What’s in yours?
