I was reminded today by this quote from this post that we sometimes put off our dreams because of the fear of what others will think.
- {via Oprah.com}
Again I was reminded of being 10 and in a pool with little boys teasing me. Oh how I wish I had brought a rubber band for my lion’s mane like hair! Unfortunately the water did nothing to dampen it down. In fact, my hair only grew bigger as did their taunts. Suddenly, I was a “witch,” with nasty crazy hair swimming in a pool full of mean bullies. Sinking my head in the pool couldn’t take away that fact nor could it drown away their hurtful words.
It may seem like a stretch. But in reality, it’s not. It’s that same fear of being ridiculed or made a fool that could be hurting your chances of happiness and success. It’s what’s keeping you from quitting your job, applying for the one you really want or to venture out into the unknown.
“What will they think? Will they laugh? Think of me as a loser? A failure? That I’ll never measure up?”
It’s easy to allow your own fears to control your life. It’s even easier to let in faux voices from past bullies to dictate what you do and don’t do in life.
It make me sad to think you’re doing the same with your own life.
How do we break free from the voices that could rob us of our own voice?
I think we realize the following:
1. that people are always less concerned/obsessed/focused on us than we think. Most people are too entrenched in their own life to worry about what you’re doing for a living.
2. for those that chat and gossip about you? I listen to my mom when it comes to that one. They probably have nothing else going on in their life.
3. everyone else is just genuinely concerned about you and don’t realize your passion or have half your courage or your faith. Anyone who’s ever ventured out in a life less traveled knows that path is a difficult one. Let those people be your cheerleaders. Let them pave the way for you.
Remember the quote about from Oriah. Forget about titles, and impressing your neighbors.
Be consumed in your passion and your life will eventually catch up to your dreams.
