What's the worst that can happen?

This is a great question to ask yourself when you are stuck in a situation and feeling a ton of fear about making a decision that might not be too popular with the rest of the world.

I asked myself this question last week.

In fact, I ask myself this question alot.

And what I have found is that everytime I ask and answer this question, I find that the worst isn't really that bad.

In fact, if I think about it, what I would consider being the 'worst' thing that could ever happen, has actually already happened to me.

Nothing the mind can make up at this point holds a candle to some of the things I've already experienced.

And I would suspect that you would feel the same way (unless you've lived in a bubble all of your life).

Think of the worst thing that has ever happened to you in this lifetime.  Think about the time you felt most alone, most afraid, most sad.

Now think about the fears that are holding you back from achieving a level of success in your life.

Now ask yourself. What is truly the worst that can possibly happen?

If the worst happens, will I be okay? Will I overcome it?

For me, being rejected is a fate worse than death.  Yet I reject myself all of the time, I've been rejected by many people in the past and I've done some rejecting myself from time to time.

Guess what?  I'm still living.  I'm still breathing.  In fact, I am better than ever despite all that rejection going on!

Hmmm.

So really what is the worst that can happen if you make that career change (even if it is a pay cut); dump that boyfriend/girlfriend who doesn't treat you right (even if he/she tells you you won't find anyone else) or spend the day lounging in a comfy chair (when you know you should be doing something more productive)?

Chances are it's not as bad as what your mind has been telling you.

To fear...or not to fear....

In my last blog I talked about being offered an amazing opportunity to take part in a retreat as a presenter.

It wasn't until I declined the offer and had a short discussion with my friends over dinner that I realized that I was feeling scared and intimidated by the thought of presenting in front of all of those fabulous people.  And I was covering it up with all kinds of other excuses.

I want you to know what I did with this situation, so that you know it can be done and hopefully it will help you when you are stuck in fear.

First, I emailed a good friend of mine and admitted to her that I was feeling scared.  She acknowledged what I was saying and added how exciting it would be if I could change my decision and move past my fears.  She also shared how great it was that I was noticing my fears and admitting to them.  (When you admit to your fears, they somehow magically diffuse to a point where you can see a little more clearly and gain forward movement).

I then made the decision to admit my fears to the coordinator of the retreat.  I wanted to be completely honest with her about why I had originally decided to decline her very gracious offer and asked if it was possible if there was still a space available for me to participate as a presenter. 

She replied with an amazing "You're in!!!"

And now....

Now I am planning my "workshop" for that weekend, I am fine tuning my bio and getting ready to send it over to her tonight.

The feeling of overcoming these fears is amazing.  I have been living with them my entire life!

The fears of not being good enough, or of being judged are common amongst women. 

It is however, imperative that we overcome these fears. 

If for no other reason than to prove to yourself that you can!

Don't worry....Be happy!

Last night as I was entertaining my YouTube addiction. I came across a great video showing Dr. David Hawkins addressing a question from a woman who worries a lot and would like to stop her obsessive worrying.

The video is hilarious to watch. Dr. Hawkins is skillful at bringing humor into his teachings.

His message in this particular video is that when we embrace what brings us discomfort we come to experience less of that discomfort. When we resist the discomfort we experience more of that discomfort.

Most of us wouldn't necessarily go the route of embracing tragedy, change, worry and stress. Most of us would fight it every step of the way. Find ways to irradicate it, ignore it, make it go away as quickly as possible.

And most of us would agree that if we look back at the times when we have fought our discomfort, we did indeed experience more of it. Ego loves a good fight.

And nothing says "speak louder to me" like ignoring a problem or situation. It's like a flashing neon sign to ego that you can't hear it or see it and therefore it should try harder to make itself heard and seen.

Dr. Hawkins theory and message spoke volumes to me.

Years ago while in a therapy session discussing my anxiety and panic attacks, the therapist said to me "the next time you have a panic attack, I would like you to exaggerate it. Play it up a little more, cry harder, panic harder, scream louder and see what happens."

That was the last time I saw that therapist. I thought the guy was a kook!

Seriously, anyone who has experienced a panic attack knows that you cannot possibly imagine exaggerating an attack.

I did not overcome my panic attacks by exaggerating them. However, I did overcome them by accepting that they were a part of who I was and even though I didn't know where they came from they were still very much something I may have to live with. That was the end of my panic attacks. That moment of acceptance. When we accept something we are loving it and much of ego's tricks and antics are fueled by Un-Love or fear.

That therapist was onto something, little did I know at the time. Had I entertained my panic attack, exaggerate it as best I could, allow it to play in my mind and body I would have been showing it that I was no longer afraid and that I was a willing participant in the "show" and they would have vanished.

Have you ever helped your child exaggerate a temper tantrum? I have. Plenty of times! Nothing diffuses a temper tantrum quicker than Mom or Dad helping the child exaggerate their discomfort. It instantly becomes ridiculous and ends in laughter and quick memory loss as to what brought it on in the first place.

This works for adults as well. Bringing in the ridiculous-ness of the situation, dissolves the fear and worry.

No stress. No fear. No regret. No disconnect from the mind, body, spirit.

Only Bliss.....