Limitations are like The Boogeyman, they only exist if we believe in them.
In fact, if we would refuse to acknowledge any limitations in our lives, we could do anything we wanted to do. We would literally amaze and astound ourselves.
Quite often however, because of our own limiting beliefs, instead of being astounding, we end up paralyzed by fear. And we don’t make any significant progress in our lives. We don’t dare challenge ourselves and we don’t even come close to pushing our boundaries or expanding our experiences. Very much like the child who pulls the covers over their head so they don’t have to stare at the closet door in the darkened room.
The fear of moving even slightly outside of our comfort zone is one that can be completely overwhelming. But again, it’s only that way if we allow it to overwhelm.
Fear is every bit as powerful and amazing as a deterrent to action as enthusiasm is the spark that makes things happen.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”. I would add that nothing great is ever even attempted without overcoming some form of fear.
And the crazy thing about fear and limitation is that they can be as real or as fictional as we believe. They are completely reliant on our willingness to accept them.
Overcoming fear is really about taking action and doing something for which you have no frame of reference. In this sense, fear is the very close relative of faith. When you or I can’t rely on any past experience for guidance, we have to utilize our imaginations. Fear is the darker side of our creative nature.
When we allow fear to creep in, we create amazing scenarios in our minds that are usually the worst possible. But again, they are based on absolutely nothing.
So if there is nothing to be afraid of, much like we tell our kids when we turn out the lights at bedtime…why are we so damn scared? We certainly don’t have to be.
BREAKING NEWS: There is no Boogeyman!
And guess what? There aren’t any limitations either. They just don’t exist…
The 15 reasons that you can write down for why you can’t start living the life of your dreams are as bogus as the notion that there is some scary, sadistic monster hiding behind the tee shirts in the closet all day, waiting for the stillness of night to pounce on innocent children when they start to say their prayers.
I mean seriously, how stupid is that?
I will repeat, since repetition is one of the best teachers, there are no limitations.
Stop being scared of things that don’t exist!
The moment that you set aside your fear and begin to take positive action will be the moment you start to become the person you’ve always wanted to be. You can accomplish absolutely anything you want once you realize the obstacles that have been holding you back are imaginary ones.
Life looks a whole lot better when you’re not buried under the covers.
Fear is a funny thing. We don’t know where it comes from sometimes. I fear and hate mice. I almost throw up when I see one. But… I’m the spider queen. I have no fear. I remove all the spiders that scare my girls and grands.
Quite internal fear is something else. I think it’s breeding ground comes from low self image. And, we don’t always know where it comes from or how it started.
I think over coming limitations is a step by step process of confronting and taking action… and it may take a bit of time. But, once we cross over… there’s such freedom.
I am sorry that sounds all pretty nice…no limitations and our fears do not exist.
But limitations and fear are very real to those that bump up against things they can not handle.
We also live in a physical universe like it or not. And we live with in the agreements of the physical universe…so yes there are limitations and yes there are boogymen. Fear and limitations can be experienced and measured. To say they do not exist is just a way of not confronting them. The only way to handle something is to have the ability to look at it first.
Looking from a tone level of fear doesn’t work. Looking from a tone level of enthusiasm most certainly works much better. And the ability to create into the future is power.
Kathryn –
Thanks for your comments.
I totally agree that most fear stems from low self esteem. Which is why so many of us default to imagining the worst possible outcome.
Overcoming any limitations in your life is a process which starts when you understand that YOU can be your greatest resource and also your own worst enemy. I like what Napoleon Hill said…”There are no limitations to the mind except those which we acknowledge”.
All the best
MS
Sheila -
Thanks so much for the comments. I appreciate your insight.
It sounds like maybe you didn’t read the post in it’s entirety or perhaps you just missed a couple of key points.
Fear is acknowledged as real. In fact I said it is “powerful” and “amazing” in it’s ability to prevent any of us from taking action. Pretending fear is not there would be a cowardly move, I agree with you. When I say that “overcoming fear is about taking action” that is certainly not pretending that it’s not there. Also, as I indicated by playing off of the Emerson quote, some kind of fear almost always has to be overcome in order to achieve. So, fear is definitely real.
The limitations in our mind however, are only real if we aknowledge them. I have to agree with Napoleon Hill on that point.
Buying into limitation, to me is the ultimate lack of confrontation. Only when someone moves forward, facing those things they are afraid of, will they begin to realize how powerful and capable they really are.
As far as physical limitations are concerned, like a wall that’s too high or the fact that we can’t flap our arms and fly, I totally agree with you. However, that’s not really the type of limitation that I’m talking about in this post.
I must say that I have to respectfully disagree with you about The Boogeyman, though…he’s not real!
Take care
MS