What causes some people to take life by the horns and others to sit back and wonder about the what-ifs? Why do some people seem held back by fear and others not?
Years later, I’ve come to understand that this trait of mine is more appropriately called “courage” and may even be envied by some. Unfortunately, some people even feel threatened by such behavior. Perhaps they wish that they also felt courageous enough to stand up for themselves. Are you someone who has no problem speaking up or taking action in the direction of your dreams or do you beat yourself up and get mad at others who do? When we give ourselves permission to say, ask or do what’s in our pleasure, we give others permission to do the same. Just imagine how much happier and healthier the world would be if this were the case!
There is a growing trend right now to return to our authentic selves. This can be downright scary for some because it means taking risks, being vulnerable, and inviting in honest feedback, and not everyone’s ego is ready. On the flip side, it means we get to stop hiding and pretending, and instead witness our health and wealth expand. When we take action in alignment with who we truly are, we no longer condemn ourselves for trying to be something we’re not. We can then begin to raise our vibration to attract what we do desire.
Courage is a skill that you can build, even if it doesn’t come naturally. I was once a shy little girl. I knew I would be very limited in what I wanted to achieve if something didn’t change. This resulted in me facing my fears, taking risks, and putting myself out there. Yikes! However, it’s easier to be courageous when it’s in the direction you wish to grow. This is because you have your joyful exuberance to gain from living a life in alignment with who you truly are, and one that allows you to reach your full potential.
How to live without fear:
1. Pushing Myself to My Edge
As a child, I was inspired by an interview I read about Madonna, the music icon. She shared she did one thing a day that scared her. Reading this was like getting struck by a lightning bolt of wisdom. I fully got that this would also be my ticket to reaching my full potential. While I may not have literally done something each day that scared me, I lived by this wisdom to continuously and incrementally push my growing edges. I assure you that I am much further along my life path today than I would be if I hadn’t taken this message to heart. And I don’t plan to stop!
Today, you can find me expressing more of who I am in a variety of ways. I’m more open, vulnerable, and expressive – you may see me wearing a homemade yarn animal tail around town, making BIG expressive dance movements in the park, selling my pussy magic necklaces, introducing people to my Blythe doll collection, speaking up for my needs, hosting nature-based retreats with my business Magnetic Explorators.
So practice pushing yourself to your edge, every day, even if you think it’s only a small amount. This risk-taking will allow you to build your courage muscle. Eventually, you’ll be accomplishing things you never thought possible for yourself and gain confidence and a thriving adventurous life along the way. Perhaps you’ve heard that our fears often lead us to our deepest desires.
2. Letting My Intuition Guide Me
It’s easier to be courageous when I feel guided – I ask the Universe for help and pay attention to the signs of where life is leading me. Then I take bold action from these answers that show up in the form of dreams, words, or symbols. These decision methods are often questionable to others. I mean who gets a vision and hears a message to suddenly make a radical change when everything is going well in order to move across the country and start all over again?? And this is precisely how I moved to New York City, and then after seven years on to Portland where I now own my own home! My soul wanted growth and expansion in ways I couldn’t have foreseen. The results have been invaluable to me – physical and mental healing, more confidence and self-esteem, three new careers, three new certifications, double my previous salary, a flexible remote schedule, an increased connection to my inner wisdom and guides, a wonderful long term boyfriend, many skills and tools to aide myself and others, Salsa and Bachata dance skills, and so much more!
From your internal wisdom source, tune into your body and notice what you are feeling. Many times our body picks up on what’s going on before our mind can analyze our environment or situation. Ask yourself what it wants to tell you. What questions do you have in regard to your life? Building a relationship with your inner and outer guidance systems, as well as trusting that the Universe is backing you up, are key to taking confident action. So ask for guidance from your source/higher power/guides/Universe, and then be on the lookout for your answers.
3. Being Curious
Naturally being curious helps me follow through with the answers I receive from my intuition or guides. I also like to challenge myself by asking if I will regret not taking the advice. Since I know that mistakes are one of the fastest ways to grow, taking action in any direction will get me where I want to go faster than not choosing any direction. We only have a relatively short time to exist in our current body, in this earthly dimension, and time seems to go by faster the longer I spend here. My motto is “There’s no time like the present.”
So what did you come here to do? I dare you to start today and do one thing that scares you, just a little bit. If not now, then when?
Note: The original article was submitted to the online publication “Found My Light.”
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