Question №4
30 DAYS ~ 30 QUESTIONS
It’s a terrific question about how we live our lives.
For it is fear of some kind that often stands in the way of harmonizing our values with our actions. There is the fear of not making it, not fitting in, of disappointing others, of failure or even success.
I think our ‘things I would do if I wasn’t afraid’ lists are really about our big, personal dreams. Things we want to do for ourselves.
And maybe that is why we are afraid of them. They seem selfish and indulgent. It’s hard to find and feel like we deserve, the time to focus on ourselves, when we have so many other responsibilities or people who depend on us.
Let’s use the rocking chair test. Picture yourself sitting in a rocking chair as an old man/woman, blanket drawn over you, sitting outside on a porch. What would your 80-year-old self, looking back on your own life, advise you to do in the moment?
Would you:
Start that course you want to?
Write a book?
Write a letter?
Speak your truth?
Just speak up?
Simplify your life?
Ask for help?
Work less?
Work more?
Exercise?
Travel?
Skydive?
Love deeply?
Forgive?
Forgive and forget?
Adopt?
Give unconditionally?
Make mistakes?
Learn from them?
Commit to being you?
Be your authentic self?
…. What else? What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
I’m not telling you to quit your job today, to leave your partner to become a back packer. I’m telling you to take a hard look at what you’d be doing if your fears didn’t take over your life. We all have a purpose and a gift. No, not all of us are math geniuses, painters, scientists, musicians, or 70mm screen actors. Your gift might be customer service. Candle making. Running. Making peace. Pebble art.
Think about what makes you feel alive. Then take a step in that direction. Then take another one. Keep going… one glorious day at a time.
In time, this question will not apply to you.
Joy, satisfaction and freedom awaits.
Read the 3rd question here:
Read the 2nd question here:
Read the 1st question here:
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