"YOUR FREEDOM IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR FEAR" - Erwin McManus

How true is this?! We can’t possibly achieve anything if we don’t first learn to face our fears…

We must tackle them head-on…

If we turn away from the creature blocking our way, we will surely never feel fulfilled, satisfied or content…

And what is it that we fear? If I ask myself this, I can often reduce it from an oversized beast to a pint-sized action figure. Like seeing a huge, looming shadow in the dark…

But as we get closer, we see it’s just the angle of the light making it seem bigger and more daunting than the reality. For example, right now, I’m in the later stages of writing my memoir, and as the finish line gets closer, the more the fear is beckoning! The voice of self-criticism is getting louder:

“You can’t do this!”

“No one will want to read it anyway!"

“Maybe you’ve got some things wrong!”

“People aren’t going to agree with what you’ve said!”

But I now know that self-compassion is the cure! Self-compassion encourages me to pause, to take notice and let those fears know that I see them. I know they’re only trying to keep me safe from harm, but I need to take responsibility for how I react, and how I move forward…

And I’m choosing to carry on, to push past this fear, because I believe the freedom of using my voice, my experiences and my knowledge are beyond this momentary obstacle…

And if anything, I think the things that bring us the most fear, but we find the courage to move through, are the things that bring us the greatest sense of happiness…

and FREEDOM!

Take care & much love,
Julie x