…And they flew.

 
POINT TO PONDER:
 
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.” - Paulo Coelho 
 
 
STORYLINE:
 
“Come to the edge,” he said.
They said, “we are afraid.”
“Come to the edge,” he said.
They came. He pushed them...
and they flew.
        -- Guillaume Apollinaire
 
 
REFLECTION by Rajiv Shah

Two voices live within all of us - one of possibility and one of fear.

One often dominates the other and it is often fear that wins. It’s safer and more predictable. It hedges the bets before they've even been made. It lives in us all, a seeming friend concerned about our well-being, whispering to us whenever we move into the unknown. When we dare to push the limits of our capabilities and the breadth of our power, it comes to our side. It wants us to play safe. It feeds on our insecurities and cultivates our failures. It uses disappointment against us, putting it on display whenever we begin to strive for something greater.

We listen to this voice when we push back our hopes and dreams. Fear works from a negative – from something being taken, from not being control, and most dangerous - not being good enough. If that is the voice we choose and that is what we put out – then that is exactly what we will get back in return.

What if we chose the opposite? Try it. It's scary as hell. Do something you've wanted that means a lot to you and that you've been putting off. Start small. It could be anything – making a phone call to someone you think is important, smiling at people even though they may not smile back, getting to the gym, or taking that first step to pursuing your dreams. The beauty is that positivity works the same way, the more you put out and the more will come back.

See if that voice comes in. The one that tells you that it's silly, that it won't work, and that it's not for you right now. Pay attention to what it says and to why you will or will not listen anymore. I almost guarantee that it will be there every step of the way. The choice will be yours whether you give in to it.

Comments

[Jason]

This is a good article, I totally agree that positivity works the same way, the more you put out and the more will come back.

I start to practice yoga at home every night, not too much or too professional, but the importance is to get start, take the first step and be consistency, also I started to reading some book every day, although there is no too much time for reading like when in school, but I still can find some time after work, such 15 minutes and 30 minutes will be accumulated and I got something learned from the books.

Take care. J

[Student of Yours]

GREAT one - I like this! It's all about dream and go for IT! You wont have many chance in your life.....voice from the opposite of fear.

As quoted by Paulo Coelho-"If you have a dream, the universe will conspire to help you achieve your dream"

[Melanie]

So true but so difficult to follow. There is so much Fear injected in us from childhood.
Thanks for sending good thoughts m

[micro CEO]

Very well put. (Actually, the poem quoted is not by Apollinaire, as Wikiquote attests.)

This essay is a wonderful invitation to adventure and trying new things. Thank you for this reminder to take risks sometimes. I think we need a constant reminder. As the title of a famous play goes, "You can't take it with you".

[Desai]

1st of all, yap, apple don’t fall too far from its tree! He is your kid alright. Good job Rajiv in this week reflection.

As Rajiv said “….choice will be yours whether you give in to it.” I too believe as Rajiv said, and have experienced in life so far that, you do get what you ask for. If you keep being negative and only think of what’s not possible, then that not-possible is what end-up happening. When in oppose, if you are being positive and ask for it and strive for it, you will get those positive outcomes.

[Anon]

FDR's address to the nation in 1932; during the great depression.
So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.

[RD]

The other day a senior executive who had taken charge of new department was sharing his observations. He said that many people are afraid to try new idea. they keep imagining all kinds of things that could go wrong. Instead if they spent just a little time thinking what would it take to get it right and just try it, they would go a long way.

[Sam]

Excellent article. Once we realize this little voice which prevents us from change, can be overcome.. there is literally no limits to where we can fly!

[BH]

Your weekly messages are very good .. thank you for sending these.

Rgds
BH

[Tek Takahashi]

Remember scene from movie Coming to America. Eddie Murphy propose to the girl in train with passenger watching. She is afaid and not answering.
A lady passenger in train tell her "take chance baby. Just Say YES.

[California Guy]

This reflection reminds me of a speech titled "Crisis of Confidence" delivered in 1979 by Jimmy Carter, former USA president. Many concepts in that speech are still very much relevant today: Voices of the Nation, Energy, Wall Street, Leadership vs. Politics-as-Usual, Erosion of Confidence, Face the Truth, Stop Crying and Start Sweating, etc.

The speech can be found at http://www.cartercenter.org/news/editorials_speeches/crisis_of_confidence.html.

[NJ]

Fear of failure is one's greatest enemy. Lack of failures means one has not tried hard enough.

[Madhuri Narkhede]

I share several of the FR stories/quotes with my sons. Much as I like this one- I may not. The 15 yr old always tells me I am too scared to let him go. He thinks he is the voice of possibility and mine the voice of fear. And "do what you have always wanted to do?-That to him is getting an "Aum" tattoo! I am constantly told that he is an outstanding soccer player. So any thoughts on how I can change the Tattoo dream to "playing for Notre dame " dream? :)

[SG]

Good article by Rajiv..It was timely today as we were talking about change in the OBT class and the fear in our mind is the most significant issue

[BST]

Thank you….I understand the meaning and you have been telling me this since last December….it is really a tough decision as you stated. Hope we will chat more

[From a friend]

I love these quotes. Thanks for sending me.

[lee cassam]

I do love all your quotes and stories i am very fortunate to have met you i share these with my sons and lots of friend and younger folks this is a important thing we can do is share our stories always a pleasure

[RV Rajan]

This is true..however, how do we get out from fear for someone whom had been in that situation for a long time. The fear portion might be even considered as "Comfort Zone" for someone whom had not tried to come out.

[Eastcoast]

I always enjoy your postings. Gives me a reason to pause, to think, to reflect and being Irish, to have guilt.

[YB]

beautiful! I like this …we need to conquer our own fear and …start small…we will eventually fly

[chiaoju]

Fear will continue to be around us whether we like it or not. It is up to us to develop that strength and will power to push fear aside and jump off that cliff, plunging into that world of changes and unknown. It is to have the guts to ask for the things you want rather than sit and wait for that opportunity to arise.

Fear gets to us. But I believe the human mind is greater than anything. If only we have better control over our mind.

*note to self* :)