It is okay to be afraid. Fear is a natural response. What matters most is whether or not we are “crippled” by it or learn how to manage it. Perhaps you’re asking,” Todd, what does it mean to be crippled by fear? Well,it means that you fall short of realizing your own personal potential and, consequently, true lasting happiness. Fear cannot be avoided. It is my opinion that anyone who has made any significant contribution in any field has faced numerous fears, self doubts and uncertainties. In many cases, they were either ridiculed or lost support along the way towards realizing their goals.
The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is that successful people use fear as a motivator rather than being crippled by it. They continue to move forward despite their emotions. We tend to be more conditioned by “outside forces” than we might realize. It is natural to seek approval, but at what cost? As humans , we are designed to evolve and blossom. We are not here to maintain a stagnant existence. We are each equipped to build our own life on our own terms. Anything less is a “soul crushing” existence. Truly successful people always find a way to “escape the fish bowl”. Have you ever observed gold fish? How much critical thinking do you think they apply towards their decision making on an ongoing basis. They simply exist….no more,no less. Each of us is here to not only exist, but to grow, evolve, create and thrive. Anything less is wasting time. At the very least, give life your best shot. TRY!!! True life begins outside of the bowl because it is only then that you learn to truly “breath”. A restrained life is no life at all. Living an extraordinary life doesn’t necessarily depend on how much money or toys that you have. It is possible though that , in certain cases, accumulating more material wealth can be a result of this lifestyle.
“Fear tells us what we have to do.”
Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
It is not common for anyone to realize , at any moment, that the very thing that they are afraid of is exactly what they need to be doing in order for them to grow as a human being. As I wrote earlier, you are not designed to stay stagnant. This doesn’t mean that you can’t choose to stay where you are in your life. You have free choice. Choose greatness. Decide that as long as you have a breath in your body that you will never ever give up. True , lasting greatness can only be achieved once we decide to live an uncompromised life.
Don’t Be Afraid To Look Stupid
Too many of us are more concerned about other peoples opinions of us than being happy. We dread looking bad. Most of the time, the fear is unwarranted. The majority of people don’t care enough about what you are doing to even notice. They are too involved with what they have going on in their own life to be worried about you. If someone takes the time to comment unfavorably about what you are doing, more than likely ,they are basing their opinion on their own fears. Promise yourself that you will never live for other people. Live your life on your own terms once you have decided what they are.
Never Play Yourself
This a popular saying of a famous DJ named DJ Khalid. For me, playing yourself has to do with underestimating your capabilities. Failure is never 100% certain. It doesn’t matter as much that you fail or not, but , rather, how you respond afterwards. Just because someone else failed at the same endeavor doesn’t mean that you will .
Stop Being a Perfectionist
Just start already!!! There might never be a “right time.” Be determined to learn as you go. You don’t have to know everything about everything. Start and keep going. Oh, and ,by the way, don’t forget to have fun. Enjoy the journey.
Choose Yourself
Recently, I read a profound saying and I quote , ” The chosen one’s choose themselves.” That’s pretty deep right?!! You deserve to live a spectacular life. You deserve to live a life on your own terms. Don’t wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder to tell you that you are “it”. It’s your turn once you choose for it to be so. Choose yourself for happiness. Choose yourself for fulfillment. Make your own luck. Be determined to find the good in every circumstance and never ever stop moving forward. Fear is a notorious liar. If we are not mindful, we can become creatures of habit and comfortability. Habitual behavior isn’t necessarily bad. It becomes bad when the habits are self sabotaging. On the other hand, becoming comfortable can be deadly depending on what your current lifestyle has become. It is possible to live a life of quiet desperation ,yet ,still, not be willing to initiate change. Many of us, fear being uncomfortable. We anticipate stress. A certain degree of stress is necessary for evolution. It is never permanent. How many “end of the world” circumstances have you or someone that you either know or have heard about faced only to find out that the next day came? … and then the next day? Was it ever truly the end? If it was, you wouldn’t reading this blog post would you? Choose to make at least one courageous decision a day no matter how small or unimportant it might seem? Just do it without giving it too much thought. Indoctrinate yourself into the “Chosen One’s Club”. Ahhh!!!, what the hell!!! …. Become the club president:)
The world thrives off of the efforts of the courageous. Decide what you stand for. Stand for your true self and encourage others to do the same. The world needs courageous people to stand up in order to inspire everyone else to stand. Run toward your fear and , then, run through it. Ultimately, you will find it to be a “paper tiger”. Remember who you really are…. an infinite , all powerful being having a human experience. Experiences are designed to be temporary. Make a decision to make the most of the time that you have left. Oh!!, and one more thing. If you decide to be led by an emotion,let it be love. Live a powerful life…. Establish your truth…. Onward!!! ….. Until next time…