Let the Story Slowly Unfold

"You need to have faith in yourself.  Be brave and take risks.  

You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward."

Roy T Bennett

While watching a primitive Christmas movie about Nicholas who was a young child living in harsh conditions without family in the hills of huge mountains, I could easily bullet point the underlying message.  The story followed Nicholas from a young child to an aged man, and although one would think he had nothing, he did have one thing ... skill to carve wood.

It was interesting to watch his love for carving grow into a gift giving to others who were unaware of his talent.  As the small mountain grew, so did his ability to carve.  One childhood friend caught on that it was indeed Nicholas delivering toys at night, and he begged Nicholas to tell people, to barter with those selling wares as they passed through the town.   But this encouragement to become known and prosper from his talent fell upon deaf ears.

Certainly everyone knows how the story goes and yes, there were reindeer and a basic red outfit; but the story line remained focused on the talents we receive and how we use them.  The message seemed to be .... recognize your gift .... slowly increase ability .... love it, don't take to heart words of others ....   life will move you forward ... and be thankful for the blessings that come.   The story simply unfolds.

Not a Pollyanna!

"Discipline your mind to see the good in every situation and

look on the best side of every event."

Roy T. Bennett

"To see the good in every situation and look on the best side of every event," (Roy Bennett) at one time sounded too much like a pollyanna.  Life was hard and maintaining a positive attitude in the worst of times was not possible for me.

Once my perception of the challenges in life shifted from something happening to me towards life providing a lesson, I was able to look for the good.  I went from a troubled victim to an eager student embracing and learning from whatever came before me.

Lessons have the tendency to repeat themselves, so often I find my lovely self stepping back and thinking, "This is a pattern repeating itself."  I now understand that a challenge can reappear to learn a lesson on a deeper level.  The more in depth we are able to understand, the faster and farther one can go.

The Other Side of Fear

"Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind.

Be led by the dreams in your heart."

Roy T. Bennett

THE LIGHT IN THE HEART

The majority of my life has been fear based.  It is easy to state this now, after years of processing.  With the help of many, I have learned to recognize fear and simply step through it.  Fear is not fact.  I can see the fear, accept that it has appeared, and then carry on.

Fear keeps us stuck, immobilized emotionally and often physically.  The first time we defy fear and step forward, we experience joy an abundance of amazement that the sky did not fall in.  With determined practice, we begin to feel the freedom and joy of paving our way, even if we stumble.

Eventually, the choice of fear is no longer a choice.  The desire to expand our creativity, to flex our muscles of imagination, and to grow into our full authentic self overrides the emotional barrier of fear.  The physical aspects of fear are more challenging.  By seeking professional assistance, a person can regulate a safe plan to navigate danger and eliminate fear.  Uncover the dreams of the heart and step to the other side of fear.