The Safe Zone

If you’re moving forward but not experiencing a little fear, maybe you’re staying in the safe zone, the no fear zone…maybe you’re not risking enough.

Or maybe, instead of actually moving forward, you’re moving in circles, stuck in the same place, in the safe place.

You don’t have to expect fear on your way to purpose, but you have to recognize when you are experiencing fear so fear doesn’t stop you.

“…once we discover [what we are called to do] we should set out to do it with all of the strength and all of the power that we have in our systems.” ~

Martin Luther King, The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life, a sermon delivered at New Covenant Baptist Church in Chicago on April 9, 1967.

Inhale Risk, Exhale Resistance…
Inhale Fear, Exhale Inaction…
Inhale Possibilities, Exhale Stagnation…
Just Breathe

#Fear
#JustBreathe

Assumptions

The fear that stops us doesn’t have to be about something big or super scary…sometimes we’re just afraid of offending or having a conversation that could turn into a confrontation.

I assumed a non-response to a follow up email about swapping a class with another instructor meant the answer was NO. In fact, the non-response was because the instructor did not see my follow up; I found out later, she had anticipated and planned for the swap but forgot to communicate with me.

A simple follow up text or phone call on my part could have yielded the answer I wanted, saved me some energy and allowed me to do what I wanted and needed to do.

I didn’t challenge the assumption so I didn’t get to do what I wanted. I have only myself to blame.

Inhale Affirmation, Exhale Assumption…
Inhale Surety, Exhale Speculation…
Inhale Confidence, Exhale Conjecture…
Just Breathe

#Fear
#JustBreathe

The B.R.A.K.E.S.

brake: a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle or other moving mechanism by the absorption or transfer of the energy of momentum, usually by means of friction.

I do a workshop called “Release the B.R.A.K.E.S.” which is about all the fear-based beliefs, assumptions, expectations etc. we have that slow us down or even stop us. And even though I understand how the B.R.A.K.E.S. work, it doesn’t mean I’m immune to the negative impact of applying and allowing the B.RA.K.E.S. to stop me from doing the things I want to do.

So I have vowed to challenge everything that gets in my way this year! You have been warned!

“Fear gets its power from our not looking, at either the fear or what we’re afraid of.” ~ Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

Inhale Exploration, Exhale Exact Expectations…
Inhale Confrontation, Exhale Fake Reality…
Inhale Challenge, Exhale Limiting Beliefs…
Just Breathe

#Fear
#JustBreathe

Be Here Now…

In their recent comments to the press, I’ve noticed a lot of Alabama players quoting a Nick Sabanism, “Be Where Your Feet Are.” I know it’s not a new principle from Coach Saban but I don’t recall this particular reflection being repeated as consistently by players prior to this season.

The mental discipline to let go of what just happened, good or bad, and stay in the present moment, to focus on this play, this point, this game is something I admire about the most successful athletes. The maturity to adopt this level of wisdom and incorporate it into their own value system is something I admire specifically about Nick Saban’s disciples.

Inhale Now Exhale Next…
Inhale Present, Exhale Past…
Inhale Here, Exhale Elsewhere…
Just Breathe

#Present
#JustBreathe