I Dare Me. Finished 9-22-16, rating 4.5/5, non-fiction, 220 pages, pub. 2013

Veteran journalist and cancer survivor Lu Ann Cahn was feeling angry and frustrated. The economy was tanking. Her job was changing. In a word, she felt “stuck.”

Something had to change. Her daughter helped convince her to start a “Year of Firsts.” For the next 365 days, Cahn made a point of doing something she had never done before, every day. Before she knew it, her whole perspective on life had changed. In this inspiring book, Lu Ann recounts how a new “first” everyday brought excitement and wonder back into her world. And more than that, she helps readers see how they can do it too.

• Participate in a Polar Bear Plunge
• Speak to a complete stranger on the street
• Zip-line across a crocodile-infested Mexican lake
• Spend a day in a wheelchair
• Learn to Hula Hoop                  from Goodreads

I Dare Me by Luann Cahn was the perfect choice for the early morning plane ride   This woman did something new EVERYDAY for a year and documented it.  One of the earlier chapters was about the things she’d done to conquer her fears and she mentioned flying. I found the book inspirational.

Her point, “You don’t have to run away from home to change your life” is one that resonated with me. In a way it relates to the 30 day challenges that Jason and I are doing this year (if you haven’t been keeping up with the other blog, I wrote a book last month!).  I might even make one of the months a Something New Everyday month, we’ll see.

Because she was a reporter she did have access to many firsts in her daily life that many of us would not, so it that aspect it might have been easier for her to find exciting things, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t all have things we haven’t done, big and small.  A few of her smaller ones (and she lists all 365) are drinking a Red Bull, learn to put on fake eyelashes, and eats desserts all day (she doesn’t recommend this one!).  Her list is just a starting point for inspiration.

Read this book, follow me in my 30 Day Challenges –  let’s live an inspired 2017!