Resistance is nothing more than fear.
In my experience, the more fear I have about doing something in particular, the more I know and feel deep down inside that it’s probably a really important step that I need to take in order to grow personally, professionally – or both. The more important that ‘thing’ is, the more fear builds up around it, and it becomes a huge mountain that seems impossible for me to climb. I suppose if it didn’t mean anything to me I wouldn’t care so much – it wouldn’t be important, so there wouldn’t be anything to fear would there?
It’s a mind game that I play with my Self. Around and ‘round we go in this never ending fear mongering mind trap. The most difficult part is to step outside of the fear and look at it straight in the face, eye-to-eye. To confront it, and see it for what it actually is – your friend, not your foe. Your trusty companion to keep you on track, to keep you on your toes, to guide you in the direction that you should be heading in order to learn and grow, so that you can reach your fullest potential.
Steven Pressfield says it best in his book the War of Art,
“Resistance is directly proportional to love. If you’re feeling massive resistance, the good news is, it means there’s a tremendous amount of love there too. If you didn’t love the project that is terrifying you, you wouldn’t feel anything…indifferent. The more resistance you experience, the more important the unmanifested project is to you – and the more gratification you will feel when you finally do it.”
What are you resisting today; are YOU going to let your Self sabotage you from getting on with what you need to do?
Great article Michela. And I too have come to know that when I’m most fearful, other than personal safety of course, is when there’s something really spectacular emerging. Ive come to trust that so much now, that I love when I feel fear because I know a wonderful journey is ahead of me if I dig in and push through.
Thanks so much for sharing Karen, I just love the way you talk about embracing the fear energy and turning into an positive opportunity!
Each day we make choices and decisions and the easiest decision is NO decision. The universe has come knocking in diverse ways. What I once felt was “technically” uncomfortable is what is emerging as a success now that I am leaning towards it; versus avoiding or procrastinating on it. Thanks for your inspiration and asking the hard questions to catapult me into progress!
Keesha, thanks for sharing your story! I love how you talk about ‘leaning in’ to the uncomfortable space – GREAT advice.