Last weekend I started reading Bob Mayer’s really terrific book: Who Dares Wins: The Green Beret Way to Conquer Fear and Succeed. I immediately got stuck in the introduction.
The reason for this is because in the introduction of the book, Bob issues a few simple challenges.
1. Write down the thing you fear the most.
2. Write down the one thing that motivates you the most.
3. Look at the conflict between what you fear in #1, and what motivates you in #2.
I’ve been thinking about these three challenges a lot this week. I started reading the book to help me conquer my fear, but trying to drill down to what my primary fear actually is has been emotionally challenging. I’ve had to look into some dark places in my thought life that I’d rather avoid.
I was also reminded me of one of my favorite quotes, and I thought I’d share it with you.
“As you think, you travel; as you love, you attract. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. You cannot escape the result of your thoughts, but you can endure and learn, can accept and be glad.
You will always come to the place where your love (your most abiding and intense thought) can receive its measure of gratification. If your love be base, you will come to a base place; if it be beautiful, you will come to a beautiful place. You can alter your thoughts, and so alter your condition. Strive to perceive the vastness and grandeur of your responsibility. You are powerful, not powerless. You are as powerful to obey as you are to disobey; as strong to be pure as to be impure; as ready for wisdom as for ignorance. You can learn what you will, can remain as ignorant as you choose. If you love knowledge you will obtain it; if you love wisdom you will secure it; if you love purity you will realize it. All things await your acceptance, and you choose by the thoughts which you entertain.”
James Allen
I invite you today to join me in thinking about what you fear, what motivates you, and the conflict between the two. I invite you to join me in thinking about your thoughts. We may not be able to escape the results of our thoughts, but we can learn. We can see the path we’re walking on. And maybe we can bend the path to a different direction.
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