“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want and all that is left is compromise.” Robert Fritz
How many of us have been doing this without even knowing it and for how long? Whether we wish to admit it or not, we are creatures of habit, and taking risks is frightening especially if the outcome seems unreasonable, illogical and improbable. We’ve all been there at one time or another. Perhaps you’re in that place right now, in this moment. Then again, consciously, you may not even be aware of how mired life has been up to this point. In essence wherever you are, Williams Jennings Bryant sums it up this way . . . “Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice.”
Get out of your own way, and take a risk. Easier said then done, you might think. Only if you put roadblocks of doubt, angst, fear of criticism or failure, and the unwillingness to invest your talent, time, skill sets, faith, and courage in what you believe about yourself. How could anyone else believe or invest in you . . . if you don’t. As an educator, I was privileged to witness on many levels how my young students dealt with challenges. I observed over many years the singular element within those that succeeded, and faced severe criticism for an idea or belief. They embraced the words of Aristotle for the most part, “There’s only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” Observing the choices made by these active young minds, was fascinating, enlightening, inspiring, and courageous. This life’s journey brings circumstances we are not prepared to embrace at first blush, sometimes those challenges are just to overwhelming. However, along the way, we find individuals that really believe in us, give us encouragement as Simon Sinek suggests . . . “Maybe, if you have the right people with you, they will give you the courage to keep going.”
For everyone there is a moment of truth, no exceptions. Sometimes we experience many moments of truth over a lifetime, and really no one is keeping count of your choices or opportunities. Therefore . . . should you possess a consciousness of being . . . those choices, opportunities and challenges become part of your existence as Byron Katie so aptly states . . . “Life is the constant opportunity to wake up.” So what will it be? You do know it is never to late to become conscious? There is always an opportunity of risk, awakening to what is possible. So … what will you do? Take that conscious step into the unknown as Joseph Campbell states . . . “The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light.” JLR