So you’ve decided to do something new…
It always starts well, doesn’t it? You feel good about it. You get excited. You know you’re ready to commit. You’re hungry for change.
You say YES to that thing. You prepare to set sail for that new horizon.
But between the space of thinking about that thing, and actually getting there, we always hit a place where the waters flows more slowly, or where we might even find ourselves becalmed. Even when we do get into flow it can look mighty strange to new eyes.
What then?
Doubt. That’s what.
We start to notice a little niggle. Maybe the niggle becomes a quiet voice.
“I don’t think this is for me.”
“I won’t be able to do it.”
“I’m going to let everyone down.”
“This feels all wrong.”
The more you pay attention, the more you begin to talk yourself out of it.
“I don’t feel good about this,” you say to yourself. “It’s a sign. I must learn to listen to my intuition. My intuition is telling me no.”
You begin to back away.
You end up back where you started, and the thing that set your soul on fire, the thing that called your name, drifts further and further out of reach.
Let me share something with you. That wasn’t your intuition calling to you. That was fear. It was your intuition that first lit you up with excitement about that new idea. It was your intuition that led you to that thing you thought you wanted.
Because you did want it!
But our ego is designed to keep us safe. And every time we extend our limits, it gets uncomfortable. Our ego freaks out a little and then it freaks us out!
The bigger the gap between where we are and where we want to be, the louder our ego will protest. It’s only doing its job. Your ego is going to get uncomfortable any time you try and grow. It creates big clouds of doubt and fear, and it hopes you pay attention. It wants to keep you safe, and stuck, and right where you are.
So don’t confuse fear with intuition. Anytime we try something that’s going to grow us, we move into the unknown, and it feels unfamiliar and strange. Even a little scary. But if we sit with it a while, we find that we’re okay. And before we know it we’ll feel good about this new place. Down the track we’ll become so familiar with the new place that we’ll get the urge to grow, and this process will start all over again.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!”
~ W.H. Murray
This couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you for some clear perspective! 🙂
So true just need courage to take the first step
Be scared and do it anyway. Works a charm for me…
Cheering you on!!! ♥♥♥
Nice post! I LOVED the photo of the baby’s face. It captured the look of fear so well!
Russ
That’s me most mornings LOL. Nah…
Well, some…
{{{HUGS}}} 😀 xoxo
Thank you Nicole. It is just what I need
Wow, this is exactly what I needed.. and today of all days. I feel like you wrote this post for me. Thank you… I will continue on my journey.
Anne, the Universe is whispering such magic in your ear, and all you need to do is follow your dreams and believe in yourself just the tiniest bit. Much love to you xoxo
Reblogged this on Not In India 2012 and commented:
Don’t Confuse Fear with Intuition. A MUST READ!
this is so important, and so true. And as always, superbly written. I will be reblogging this and sharing this on Facebook as well. Much thanks.
with love light and JOY 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration. Need a little bit of a nudge to keep going sometimes. New horizons here I come !!
Reblogged this on MINDFUL DIARY and commented:
Don’t confuse fear with intuition
Interesting point. Also true.
How very timely, I’m at this stage right now, and I know that last quote well. Sometimes I find it inspiring and other times I find it frustrating, but I realise that this is all to do with me and my level of commitment. What that quote says is true, it’s not until you really are committed that things work in your favour. If you’re only partially committed, or the idea of commitment appeals but you don’t actually commit yourself fully, it doesn’t work. On occasions, you have to go out on a limb in a scary manner, as if you’re hanging onto a window ledge by the fingertips, but on the up side, the more you struggle with these things, the more satisfying they are when they do happen. Thank you for reminding me of that.xo
And I wondered, should I go to Edinburgh on Thursday? Thank you.
Clare, keep owning that wise, sensitive Soul of yours. It guides you so well. Bless xoxo
Wow Nicole, this came at just the right time for me. This really hits the nail on the head. Thank you for the enlightenment and the encouragement. –Lucinda
I am standing here on the sideline waving pom-poms and cheering for you, Lucinda! 😀 xx
Awesome post, Nicole and Goethe is a huuuuuge favourite of mine. Do you have any objections if I reblog this?
Not at all 😀 xx
I really needed to hear this today. Wonderful post!
Thank you Kim! Much love to you, and Blessings for you and your work xx
Thank you so much Nicole. Very timely, started struggling again,recently but last night asked for help and received in in a dream, and now this from you. Back on track again. Blessings xxx
Oh god that’s me, was up vomiting all night purging deep fears,three of us ate the same meal, only I was sick, no fevers or pain or other symptoms. This post is wonderful, bless you nicole. Thankyou. L&l sx
lol! sorry for the detail! sx
Amazing post! Just experienced it recently. Little spooky, how precisely you describe the doubt part…..I went for the goal anyway. Thanks. 🙂
whatever you can do or dream you can begin it — words sometimes convey beauty and truth don’t they?
Boy, this one is so true. I’ve experienced it countless times over. Thanks for the beautiful reminder of the importance of following through. Hugs, Brenda
Thoroughly enjoyed this post – thank you:)
Thank you so much, Gabriella! 😀 Bless xx