Our local radio stations often sponsor giveaways for tickets, gift certificates, & the likes. I've taken a chance a few times and returned that key word via text, liked and shared on IG/ FB, and commented away to my hearts content, tagging my friends in the process.

In the past couple years I've won a $100 gift card to a local restaurant, 2 tickets to the 2024 Azalea Festival Old Crow Medicine Show concert, and most recently, 2 tickets to the Brooks N Dunn Concert held in Raleigh. 

I also had received tickets through a friend for the 2025 Azalea Festival concert of Justin Moore and somehow made it into the pit because staff asked if I was interested. At first, I was hesitant to attend because I couldn't find anyone to go with me. I thought it might just be better and easier to stay home.

 At the last minute a friend of a friend of a friend asked for the ticket I was basically giving away, and she decided to hang with me the entire night. Once we made it into the pit, we were with her friends also. Did I know those people? Nope. Was it a fun night with strangers at a concert with music we liked? Sure was! 

It made me think about the chances I give up because I don't want to go alone, or I tell myself I'm too tired, when secretly I'm just being lazy, or I don't want to meet new people, or deal with parking. All excuses, while sometimes valid, make it easy to not actually live our lives and take the chances to try something new. 

I know that it's harder with work schedules, children, and life in general, but take those chances. Enter the contests and actually go. Make it a priority. Also, take the chance and go to things alone if your spouses/ friends/ family can't attend with you. 

As a single person, I'm solo a lot and sometimes my introvert brain says "stay home bc no one is with you", but that is usually when I have the most fun because I meet new people! 

So this Wisdom Wednesday is about taking the chance and jumping on things you might normally ignore. No matter whether it's a radio contest or a potential job interview, life is about growing, moving, and doing. Not staying stagnant and comfy in our PJ's every night (although sometimes we are so tired, there's nothing wrong with that). 

So this is your encouragement to go out, participate, enter, and do. Of course, not everything works out and not everything is for you and your family, but be mindful of taking chances versus passively sitting back because you are tired/ nervous/ anxious. 

We never know what life will throw out next!