I then found myself opening up those old notebooks, re-reading those lists, and while some things did change, a lot didn't. It's the sad (and harsh) truth.
What was I waiting for? Am I not really passionate about those dreams of mine? Am I really just that lazy?
It hit me. Fear. For the most part, it's my own fear that holds me back. Like so many others. Fear of sounding stupid. Or just not saying the right things. Fear of looking ridiculous. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure.
It was just as Paulo Coelho described in The Alchemist; there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. If I really stopped for a second and thought about what my dreams really are, I'd notice a voice ringing in the back of my head. It's that voice that's filling me with a fear over something that hasn't even happened yet. And you know what? It may never happen. It's there, poking at my insecurities, knowing exactly what buttons to push. That little voice can be quite the bitch when I come to think of it.
What if we all - together - told that voice to shut the hell up? Who invited her to the party anyway?! What a downer. Let go of those negative thoughts and fears and replace them with encouragement and love. Love for yourself. Because you're an unstoppable force of nature.
If we start loving ourselves unconditionally, could you imagine what could happen? Things worthy of glitter explosions and fireworks so bright, you could see the sparks dancing from space.
I've decided to make a pact, with myself and with you. These type of life-changing events are better shared and supported through a community, don't you think? The next time you dream up something fabulous - something seemingly so far out of reach - and that voice creeps in and tell you, you can't do it, I want you to stare straight back, say "Watch me", and believe it.
If your fears were no longer a factor, what would you do? Better yet - share a time where you've conquered your fears and succeeded, I'd love to hear!
I have to say the most fearless thing I've done recently has been to pick up and move out of my house and NYC the DAY I got a job. In literally less than 24 hours my life changed and it was incredibly scary. Since that big move, I've had a bunch of scary things–and fear constantly holds me back. But I always remember that "big leap" and how worth it it was!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa
The Glossy Life
This may sound silly, but the thing I've most feared for most of my life is letting the world know who I'm interested in romantically, especially that special guy. With a lot of other fears, I've been able to say, "What's the worst that could happen? You get a no? It doesn't work out? How does that make your life any different than it is right now?" But with those crushes....I've gotten better about it.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest things that's helped me is to realize that faith and fear cannot coexist. One of the biggest feats of faith is that it overpowers fear. In the Yogi Bear movie, he says "You can't fail if you never stop trying." I like it so much I made it my e-mail signature at work. :)
I've never read The Alchemist, but I've heard a lot about it. I'm sure I'd love it.
ReplyDeleteI think the scariest thing I've done is book a solo trip to Central America & California next summer - I still find it hard to believe that I'm actually going! Its so, so true about fear being the thing to hold us back. I think a lot of the time its fear of failing - or at least the fear that other will thing we've failed.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way as you... countless lists of my hopes and dreams, but fall short when it comes to actually do them! - This is a wonderful post about just going for it. If you fail you fail, but at least you did it.
ReplyDelete- tianna :)
I would have to say one one the scariest things I was able to overcome was deciding on a study abroad program almost on a whim. I didn't know a soul on the trip, but now they're some of my closest friends.
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