Topic: Authentic Living Ezine
The nest of our hopes and dreams is a wonderful place. It feels safe and secure. Anything is possible. We can plan to do whatever we desire, and abide in the grand castles of our imagination. It’s comforting to weave stories of how successful we are going to be in that lovely land called, “Tomorrow.”
As Annie puts it: “Tomorrow, Tomorrow. I love ya Tomorrow. You’re always a day away!”
Still, isn’t there a stirring in your heart to leave the nest, try your wings and take that first step into flight? And, have you noticed that when this stirring hits, and you venture a little too close to the edge of the nest or look a bit too longingly out into the vast expanse of the sky, suddenly a chorus of voices in your mind chime together in panic: “Stop! Don’t go there! It’s not safe! You’re gonna fall!”
That chorus of voices tries to convince you that once you take flight, there’s no turning back and the safety of the nest is forever lost. It’s a real doomsday scenario. But think about the last time you took a chance, made a move and created substance out of dream material. Maybe you went on a long-deserved vacation to Hawaii. Maybe you finally cleared out the garage, got a permit, and converted the space into a music studio or a family room. Maybe you got a fitness club membership, started working out, lost some weight, gained some stamina and decided to take up tennis. Maybe you asked someone out on a date for the first time since your divorce. Whatever it was you did to take flight, I’d be willing to bet that it did not keep you from coming up with new dreams for the future.
In fact, a successful venture in the realm of the real can be the best inspiration for new visions and plans in the realm of the possible. Think about it. Let’s say you started taking lessons in ballroom dancing, or built a tree house for your kids, or started a new business selling vintage postcards on the Internet. Whatever your project, your success depended on focusing the energy of your dreams into the specific set of actions needed to bring about a tangible result. That result was probably quite invigorating, and it likely made you want to try other new and exciting adventures. The fulfillment of one dream can fuel the creation of another and another, until bringing dreams into reality becomes pattern of ease and grace. Like anything else, practice makes for progress. Even our failed experiments will support that progress if we remain willing to learn and open to grow.
So, the next time you take courage and approach the edge of the nest, eager to fly into action and make your contribution to life, remember that it’s not a one-way ticket. It’s an exciting round-trip outing, a field trip, an opportunity to explore new ground. Our explorations through action build the spiritual and practical muscle needed to have ever stronger and more efficient flight, so that we can get enjoyment and fulfillment from turning vision into action into reality into new vision: a powerful cycle of progressive creative success.
And when that chorus of alarmists shows up in your head (and it will), celebrate! It’s a sure sign that you are approaching the moment of flight. The trick is to recognize that those nagging voices, however authoritative and persistent, do not represent the truth. Their job is to keep you in the nest, to keep you from taking risks, and to protect what they believe is your best chance at happiness. But they are misinformed. Staying in the nest won’t make you happy. It’s taking a risk and leaving the nest that leads to triumph, because in truth you are a hero, ever capable of the alchemy of turning your heart’s desires into authentic actions that allow you to fully live your best life.
The wind is up. The air is bright. Take flight!
Authentic Living Ezine by Eve West Bessier