I believe that basically we operate from a constant state of fear. Fear of being eaten or fear of not eating. This comes from operating from our reticular brain. This is the part of the brain that was developed during the very early stages of our homosapien development. Let me explain further. Our brain over time has developed in 3 stages; the reticular brain is our “animal” brain, the one that we used during the time of the dinosaurs. This brain, kept us safe during a time when we could be eaten and our main purpose was to avoid this, while still trying to survive. So we operated from a constant state of fight or flight. Since that time we have also developed the emotional brain, which allows our emotions to influence our reticular brain. The most recent, and when I say recent, I mean approximately 2 million year ago, we developed the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is our creativity center so to speak, this is the part of the brain that allows us to dream. Here’s the road block though, underneath it all, the reticular brain still remains the power house if there is any fear close because its function is to keep us safe.

This is why fear controls many of our lives. It can disguise itself as a safe place but, it’s really a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Don’t get me wrong, fear has its place and we need a little fear or we would cross the street without looking both ways, but when fear paralyzes us from the potential of who we can become, and then it’s no longer beneficial, this is when you can be afraid but do it anyway and see what will happen.

Now my question to you is, what are you afraid of? Like I said above, in my experience, we are all driven by underlying fear. My fear used to be that my voice would not be heard, and then I created a whole story around this.

My story began when I was a teenager, maybe even before, I’m not sure that I can pin point it. My father was a very black and white kind of man, there were no shades of grey and the only opinion that mattered was his. The paradox to this is that he wanted to give me the illusion that he would entertain my opinion, my thoughts. I think it actually amused him to see me try to persuade him out of his opinion. In the end he would say “I hear what you’re saying, but I’m not changing my mind”. Over time, all I heard was; your opinion, thoughts and feeling don’t matter. As I grew and matured I didn’t even realize that I was even playing this tape in my mind because from the outside looking in, the world would never know that I think what I have to say doesn’t matter.
FEAR, it creates the story you tell yourself.

How do you overcome fear and change the story you tell yourself? It isn’t easy but worth the journey. You have to take baby steps, however even before you do that, you have to discover what your fear is. You have to shine a bright light on it. We all have fears, do any of these sound familiar to you?

Fear of dreaming: You don’t even allow yourself to think about the possibilities because you’re afraid of disappointing yourself or others? You are unable to visualize a positive outcome; you downplay what could be in life just in case it doesn’t happen.

Fear of Failure: You think what’s the point? I’m not good enough why bother, I’m never going to get that, have that, or be that (that thing you want), in your mind the only outcome is failure.

Fear of Upsetting People: Upsetting the status quo. What will my family think, my friends, my colleagues etc. You don’t want to disappoint anyone else.

Fear of conflict: what would happen if you did follow your heart’s desire? You are conflicted about pursing you goals because of the potential or imagined conflict that would occur with the major players in your life.

These are all hurdles that we put in our way that stop us from following our purpose. Is what you want important enough to jump the fear hurdles? The good news is that you have the power within you to remove these hurdles. Once you have identified what fear drives you, you can break it down. You can begin to change the tape you play in your head that tells you “You can’t do this”

The reality is that all of your fears are a possibility. I can tell you from experience that there have been times when I have rocked the boat and people have been upset. I have failed many, many times. I haven’t dreamt as big as I could have because I just didn’t think it was a possibility, the dream was just too big! Here’s the answer to all of that, BE AFRAID and DO IT ANYWAY! You are NOT a robot! We are not meant to be a school of fish all swimming in the same direction. The only progress that has happened on this planet is from those who faced their fears and did it any way! It’s not easy but absolutely worth it!

It’s my honour to serve you! God Bless!
I’d love to hear from you!

Email me: nina@theapostropheproject.com