Living the Abundant Life Yet...? What Excuses May Be In The Way...? (Part III)

"Change will be too risky."

"People may resent my changing."

"This could upset so many relationships."

"What if something bad happens to me, if I change?"

"What if I don't like who I am, after I change?"

"What if the Real Me is a creep?"

I've heard and/or thought these excuses ... what about you?

Of course, we can never be totally sure that any venture will be risk-free. And honestly, how many of us would enjoy a life that was 100% guaranteed risk-free ...? How B-O-R-I-N-G...! Isn't risk an inherent part of life itself...?

What if holding back, guarding oneself, protecting oneself out of fear of criticism or judgment is actually far more harmful than taking a risk...?

Such fear is paralyzing ... self-limiting ... life-squelching ... leaving us with a diminished and meaningless existence that cannot even be called a "life". May as well be a rock.

Neither can we live a life dedicated to pleasing everyone else ... such a life is built on fear, rendering one a victim of their own excuse-based thinking.

It's incredibly empowering and fulfilling to live from your own convictions, to follow your passion, to let nothing prevent you from experiencing your own fulfillment...!

As Wayne Dyer says, "The peace that you feel because you ignored the worry of a risk is far greater than staying stuck in a belief that is really only and excuse."

Most of what I fear risking is only a projection of my own imagination. So, when I let it keep me from venturing forth, and remain stagnant, I reinforce that fear. I sit there, feeling that fear, as IF whatever I had dreaded had occurred. BUT --- when I step out, with confidence, not looking back, I find that the thing I dreaded doesn't materialize ... it was a mere figment of my own imagination. And it evaporates. And I laugh.

And even if it *did* materialize, I have the power to face it and make choices ... something I cannot do if I opt for avoiding the risk, and just sit there, IN the fear, in the first place.

Choices, choices ... if I don't like what's happening, I can "choose again."

Shalom, Dena

P.S. Next examined excuse: "Change Will Take a Long Time."