“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”
— Abraham Maslow
As 2012 draws to a close, I become more aware of what I have accomplished in the year both physically, mentally/emotionally and spiritually. It is a time for introspection so that I may set my gears (i.e. goals) for the coming year to go forward and not in reverse.
Change is a very uncomfortable feeling to most people. They fight it, they curse it, they put blame on others, and they can ignore it. Fear drives these actions and thoughts. Going forward toward growth oftentimes involves change that is uncomfortable and this brings fear to the surface quite quickly.
How does one know if they are experiencing fear? Fear is bred in the Ego. The Ego’s job is to keep one alive at all costs. It is a valid job BUT the Ego bases its survival mechanism on beliefs from past experiences or from those who have molded one’s beliefs and passed them on to the other.
Not all of the information is correct and much of it is in error. It takes a person some time to inquire about their thoughts and whether they are valid or not. Unfortunately, most people don’t question their thoughts at all!! They make choices based on outdated, outmoded, and outsourced information.
It is quite a luxury to have an original thought! Some philosophers contend that their are no original thoughts! It is quite courageous to make choices based on ideas that may not be so popular. As you move forward, oftentimes, more experiences will bring you greater clarity. As your experiences bring you greater clarity, your vision will be enhanced. Enhanced vision will guide you in the right direction. Decisions will be made without fear. Instead, love and understanding can be part of your process and your growth regardless of what other think about your forward movement.
For 2013, why not make it a goal to question your thoughts, move in a forward direction that makes you uncomfortable and go for the gold clarity of your process?!
