“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
-John Lennon
Throughout most of my life, my fears have crippled me as they have confined me, repressed me, and held me back from living life on so many levels, mostly within the context of love and relationships. My fears have fostered an entire litany of never being “good enough” as I have chosen to focus on self-defined imperfections, doubts, and worries. When I live from a place of fear, I block what I want most of all – an alignment of my heart and soul.
My forever definition of the heart is that it is a beautiful symbol of love, courage, and devotion. When I am afraid, I hold back my heart as I live from a place of not being able to trust. As a result, I then live in a place of fear, distrust, and insecurity. If I choose to listen carefully and completely, my heart allows me to hear my voice, to reflect, to understand, to define and redefine my fears. My heart encourages me to embrace life and love.
My soul seems to always be mindful and present as it holds me with an amazing light and love. It continually encourages me to discover, affirm and nurture who I am. It encourages me to expand upon all of my relationships and experiences. It allows me to take a look at my life and to explore what I am learning and how I am growing in mind, body, and spirit. It forces me to attend to the “gifts” that life brings within the context of everything and everyone I encounter. Most of all, my soul reminds me to believe in the power of hope and faith. It nudges me ever so lovingly to follow my heart.
While I would like to say that I have overcome all my fears, I must honestly share that I still find myself caught up in doubts and worries. Luckily, my heart and soul are very patient as they strive to affirm and nurture me, allowing for increased self-awareness and self-acceptance. I am mindful of making the choice to open my heart and to live each day from a heart-felt and soul-based energy. I choose to believe in love and allow the universe to show me what I believe.
