Life getting you down a bit? This guest post from Tess Marshall of the Bold Life might help.
Tess is our Encourager of the month for April and we couldn’t have chosen a more fearless encourager if we’d tried. Tess is my go-to-gal for tips and here’s a few to help us face our fears and live life to the fullest.
I have prisms in my glasses because I see double; my eyes don’t line up correctly. Yesterday, I went to a new doctor for an eye exam because it had been a few years since I had a new prescription.
When the doctor finished, he suggested that I get eye muscle surgery. I was taken by complete surprise; I was shocked. I thought he was crazy.
I immediately said “no.” I didn’t let him explain. I didn’t ask questions. The thought of someone messing with my eyes terrified me.
Then I remembered that it had been getting increasingly difficult to drive at night. I asked him if this issue with my eyes affected my night vision. He said, “Absolutely; especially depth.”
I asked him if this had to do with aging. He replied, “Less than one percent.” I loved that answer!
I told the doctor that I didn’t have a big social life and I really don’t need to drive at night. The doctor’s reply to that was, “You seem like a fun person. Aren’t you a little young to give up night driving?”
I replied, “If I really want to go somewhere, I know that Hubs will chauffeur me.” I was totally unaware of how silly I sounded. Imagine that happening for the next 30 years!
I got very little sleep that night. I was imagining how my life would unfold if I didn’t get the operation.
Just imagine.
Imagine not being able to drive to a friend’s house or to watch a sunset.
Imagine not being able to attend a concert or rent a car after a late flight.
Imagine the inconvenience of having to rely on others to cater to me for the rest of my life!
The following morning I woke up and announced that I would get the surgery. Self-imprisonment is not for me.
We often stop ourselves because we aren’t willing to take the action we need to make a change. We simply refuse to move forward.
It took less than fourteen hours for me to get through my fear. I’m excited about the successful outcome in advance.
After the surgery, I’m going to plan a late night road trip to Bisbee, Arizona to celebrate. Bisbee is an old mining town that is now an artist’s community.
Bring on the adventure. Bring on the magic. I’m ready.
10 Tips to Get Out of Your Own Way
Embrace your physical health.
We often neglect our health out of fear. Don’t allow it to stop you from doing what’s right. If you need a physical exam, get one. If you need to lose weight, do it. If you sense there is something wrong, there probably is. Take immediate action and get on with your one wild and precious life.
Take responsibility.
Decide to be mentally and emotionally healthy. Do what you need to do. If you are stuck and need help, reach out. Hire a coach, see a therapist or get a mentor. Act on the direction and advice you receive.
Knowledge is power.
Learn everything you can about your problem and desired result. If you’re unsure of what you need to do next, research, read, watch videos and speak with other experts. Ask for guidance. Don’t second guess yourself; make informed decisions.
Don’t wait for the right time.
Don’t drag your feet. Do what you can now. Focus on the moment. Stop trying to ignore or deny what needs to happen. Begin where you are with what you have, today. Not tomorrow. Learn to trust the process.
Weaken your fear.
Learn deep breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, The Sedona Method, Emotional Freedom Technique, Morita Therapy or The Work.
When practiced regularly, any of these methods will help you to overcome any fear or anxiety. They are life changing.
Rise higher.
Stop participating in what drags you down. Let go of the crazy makers in your life. Get enough sleep. Get organized. Get out of debt. Break out of the routines that suck your spirit dry. Create positive life-long habits. Your choices will determine how far you can climb.
Stress less.
Live a simple life. Give up overindulgence in anything. Spend less, save more. Rush less, breathe more. Do less, relax more. Expect less, share more.
Count your blessings.
Let go of complaining. Everyone has problems. You weren’t singled out. Be grateful for your situation and the strength to move through it. Be grateful for the love of your family and friends. A life of gratitude and appreciation bring a sense of peace and well-being that can’t be shaken.
Choose to be brave.
Learn to live on the edge. Do what scares you. Life doesn’t come with guarantees. I want my next 30 years to be my best: incredible, full of risks and excitement. Don’t you?
Have a vision.
Someone asked me to choose three words for the next quarter of the year. I chose four: dream, plan, create and execute.
I know what I want and where I’m going. I know what I have to do to make it happen. My vision doesn’t include fear of the unknown. My future is simply beautiful and bright.
What action are you resisting? What steps do you need to take? How will you imprison yourself if you don’t get over your fear?
Great question from Tess. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Let’s keep encouraging one another in the best way we know how.
Love Elle
xoxo
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14 Comments
Had that surgery on both eyes years ago, saved my sight. Wonderful! Don’t delay!
Dore’
Thanks for the encouragement! Once I lost my fear the green light went on. I appreciate your support.
Good for you Dore’…great encouragement for us all. 🙂
Tess has pretty much explained the tools we need to solve all of life’s problems in one post. Now the question is – Will you act on them?
Dan @ Zen Presence – Ideas for Meaningful Living
Dan,
It’s so true without action knowledge or wisdom doesn’t have much value. When we act we’re happy. Not acting causes ruts and misery. Like I said life’s too short to be stuck in fear. Thanks for your support.
Isn’t that the truth Dan…plus it’s the hard part. Awareness is cool…and then comes the practice. And no matter how often we fall of the practice wagon, we can get up and climb right back on. Can you tell I speak from a bit of experience here. 🙂
So true! All of these points! Most of us never realize that we’re the only ones getting in our way of achieving our dreams! We bind ourselves with our fears and our necessity of gaining others’ approval. We keep trying to “fit in”, when we were actually meant to “stand out”!
Welcome Chicky…love the way you put that, binding ourselves with fears and oh the concept of other’s approval is huge. I’m with you on standing out. 🙂
Don’t you have a subscribe by RSS option here?
I just recently faced my fear and moved halfway across the world. I’m so glad I did!
Congrats Cassandra. I absolutely know that feeling…I love the fact that you were brave enough to just up and go. 🙂
The biggest thing I believe in is that knowledge is power. Not trying to learn everything you can about something will set you up for failure.
I know that if I don’t fight my fear then my life will be filled with utter despair. I need to commit 100% to what I want to do and give it my all : D.
Thanks for the post.
Nicely put Sebastian…or do you go by Sebastian Aiden? 🙂
Either one works : D. Sebastian is usually easier for most people.