Lost and Finding Joy

Besides all the things going on out there that we have no control over, there’s plenty to be afraid of in our own personal lives. At times it can seem big and scary, maybe even terrifying; but when we look it square in the face, when we dare the dark, we may realize it’s not so big and that we’re even bigger.

As human beings we waste so much time worrying about insignificant things. Most of the things we fear, never happen. If it does happen, we find that we can handle it better than we imagined. We place invisible boundaries around ourselves based on F.E.A.R. — false evidence appearing real — and it holds us back from living a life we truly desire. We get stuck in patterns of doing the same things over and over without realizing it. We just think it’s us. In reality we are creating things we don’t even realize.

The good news is there is an unseen force that is always guiding us. We can listen to that guidance by tuning in to what we’re feeling. Are you feeling a longing to do something else or something more? Do you feel discontent where you are now? What’s stopping you from making a change?

If you look at all the reasons you are saying no to positive change, it usually boils down to one thing…fear. Fear of failure. Fear of letting go of what you’ve been doing. Fear of the unknown. Fear of leaving someone behind. Fear of something.

So, how do we overcome fear? We don’t want to resist it. Why? Because what we resist, persists. We simply want to notice it, realize it’s just part of our growth, and take a step. We must do it afraid.

Courage counters fear. Search for what your heart truly desires. Ask yourself what and why you desire to do, be, have, give, and/or create. Whatever it is let your why be strong enough to give you the motivation and courage to do the thing you truly desire. In the big picture, life is fleeting. We want to live our lives in such a way that when we look back on it, we did the best we could with the knowledge and awareness we had.

Viktor Frankly says, “The meaning of life is found in every moment of living; and life never ceases to have meaning, even in suffering and death.”

So, have courage. Do it afraid. Live a meaningful life.