Thoughts on FEAR, COURAGE AND FAITH
Exactly 14 sleeps to go before the London Marathon! For those of you who haven’t seen the tears and sweat over the last few months over here in beautiful Sydney, I have been training for the London Marathon – it’s my first (and last!) Marathon and the big day is nearly here…whoopee!
I guess I just wanted to share a few thoughts with you, some of which have cropped up over the last few months during the training. However, this is not all about training for a marathon, per se, but principles that could be applied to any challenge in life. A short and rather random post today!
- Know your WHY
This is central to any decision in life. Don’t just do things because every one is else is doing it or because it’s the easy option. This is the key to ensuring you achieve whatever you set out to do- this is what will keep you focused and motivated. If your objectives are not aligned to your core beliefs, you will only be able to keep yourself going for a limited time – before getting frustrated and thinking of the next project. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is your former self– and improving on “you” through life. Knowing your WHY will lead to the HOW (to do it) and then the WHAT (to do). The answers will flow effortlessly- if there is alignment. Synchronicity.
So …
WHY do you want to lose weight?
WHY do you want to earn $XXXXXXXX?
WHY do you want to be as healthy as you can possibly be?
WHY do you want to run the marathon? (For me, a few things inc – a personal and rewarding challenge, supporting my chosen charity that I feel strongly for-essentially helping kids who are disadvantaged lead better lives, overcoming my own biomechanical issues to do with hips, knees and feet, using my own good health to make a difference in my own way – and of course, it’s a dream come true having watched it annually in London!)
Below is a link to a fantastic TED talk by Simon Sinek- who discusses Why/How/What, why Apple was so successful, the Wright brothers, Martin Luther King and a bit of neurobehavioural science. Very inspiring.
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action#t-1068272
- “Feel the fear and do it anyway” (Susan Jeffers)
The comfort zone can be a dangerous place! You may think your safe but it’s really a delusion. It will keep you limited and prevent you from being your best self. Many great quotes come to mind as I write this but one particular favourite is:
“The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty you can comfortably live with” (Anthony Robbins).
What this means is, is that whatever you wish to accomplish, be it giving your first presentation, running a marathon, leaving an unsatisfactory job or relationship, that it is OK to feel fear- this is a normal response, accept it and go with it. The fear will go away once you have done what you feared. But you need to be in that acceptance position and take the courage to get to the “other side”…
- Courage
It is interesting to note that the word, “Courage” comes from the Latin word for heart, “cor”.
So courage is not just about heroic acts of bravery, bungee jumping and sports challenges – it is really about speaking from our heart and being open and honest – first and foremost with ourselves.
If you have the desire to do something, put your heart into it, go out and (as Nike say) just do it! Oh, a lightbulb moment!- the Latin root for the word, “De-sire” is “Of the Father”- if you have the desire to do something, it has come from a special sacred place within. You are truly meant to follow your desire – destiny, if you will.
- Faith
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Martin Luther King Jnr
The dictionary definition of Faith is “complete trust or confidence in someone or something”. Primarily, have faith in yourself. Simple. It also extends to faith in something far greater than us- a Higher Power/God/Universe, whatever it may be for you. A strength or rock that is there no matter what challenges life throws at you. So whatever you decide to do, don’t be afraid of stepping a bit out of your comfort zone and ensure you know why your doing it, then persist with courage and faith.
The training over the last few months has no doubt been arduous. As expected of course- I am not complaining (honestly!). The Sunday long runs (THANK YOU Sydney Striders!) which went from 7am to 5.30am starts, building up to 35km and ongoing training of various sorts during the week- is enough to test anyone’s determination, patience, mental as well as physical strength! But it becomes possible when you know your WHY, have COURAGE and have FAITH in yourself and in something greater than you.
I will take this opportunity to express a VERY BIG THANK YOU for the support from family and friends from all over the Globe! This has without doubt been a crucial part of the training months.
https://varietylondonmarathon14.everydayhero.com/au/ameeta
London, I love you and here I come!
XXX
“STRENGTH DOESN’T COME FROM WHAT YOU CAN DO; IT COMES FROM OVERCOMING THE THINGS YOU ONCE THOUGHT YOU COULDN’T”
