When I heard my son Toks casually say, “You can either be afraid or charge into the world bravely”, it hit me in the most profound way. Are there lots of fears to gravitate to out here in the world? Yes, there certainly are. Is this a time when people think about charging bravely into the world? For some, maybe, for most, probably not.
The impact of fear on our nervous system is clear: although it is experienced in your mind, there are strong, not so positive, physical responses that go with it. Imagine you are being faced with one fearful or worrisome thought after another. Surely this consistent focus on what is wrong has an accumulative effect?!
You might think you can survive just fine with this roller coaster of negative experiences and reactions, but can you? It certainly isn’t a recipe for thriving. Ellen Albertson said “There’s a huge difference between surviving and thriving. Survive means to “continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.” Thrive means to “prosper, be fortunate or successful, to grow or develop vigorously; flourish.”
Everyone has something to say about this distinction. Over the years, I’ve become particularly intrigued by what scientists are sharing. Neuroplasticity has become quite the buzz word – it’s like a networking event in your brain – and the consistent connections you make gather together and can have positive or negative impact. The sheer power and strength of the ‘neural gathering’ will move you toward whatever it is you focus on, surviving, thriving or anything else.
Well now, that sounds so much like change your story, change your life. The stories you consistently tell yourself are like self-fulling prophesies that are fueled each day you breathe. Science is discovering and proving how the results that show up in your life are dependent upon what you think, believe, and do.
It’s all about who and what is running the show. Which will it be? Fear or bravery …
Take charge!
