A personal success story in finding my adventure again…

Hi everyone,

Many of us go through trials and tribulations on the adventure of our life. Unfortunately many people let the trials become their focus, the woes of life drag them down and they miss out on their adventure.  I can relate to this as I allowed some challenges in my life to keep me stuck, to keep me in a place that would not allow me to live to my full potential and realize my dreams (like I had died somewhere along the road).

I recently had a chat with Julie and afterwards she shared with me some of her adventure; the adventure of finding herself again after the big disappointment in her life.  I will allow you to personally read her adventure below.  But before I do that, allow me to share some insights with you that may help you:

It takes personal awareness to be able to detect where you are, if you are lost, missing out on your adventure and not living your full potential. So once you have this awareness and I believe that many people do indeed have this awareness, take action to go about correcting the belief that is implanted in your sub-conscious mind.  This is the point that many of you give up for fear has now gripped you in its clutches and you seem paralysed to move forward.  So instead you keep going on the same road you have been on all along.  Can you relate?  Part of the focus and passion of the IAT is to assist you in releasing that fear in order for you to live to your fullest potential.  So what is fear?  A sub-conscious belief played over and over in your mind triggered by any number of small incidents in everyday life.  So are these real?  NO!!  Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real!  Is it easy letting go?  It is if you so choose.  So how can you start living more and not allow your fear to imprison you?  I would recommend you connect with someone who has an interest in your success or maybe finding a counsellor in your area that will help you in breaking through.  There is nothing wrong with asking for help!  In fact it is very liberating and freeing.

How many of you can relate to Julie’s story below?  Please let me know.

Keep your blog pages current for more insights and information that might make a difference in your life.

So here is Julie’s powerful story on fear and conquering it.

Have an amazing and fearless day!

Peter Ainley

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Getting divorced was the best thing that ever happened to me.  To many, that may seem an odd thing to say.  Those who have been through it, and come out the other side, may understand; divorce can be a great catalyst for change.

Seeing the positive side of my divorce is only possible in hindsight.  Three years ago, when my marriage fell apart, it was devastating.  I recently read through my journal from that time, and it was full of anguish.  I remember saying to myself, “I can’t do this!  I can’t survive it!”  And in a way, I didn’t survive it.  At least, the “old me” didn’t survive it.  But a “new me” was born through the process; a me who has a stronger sense of identity, a clearer sense of purpose, and less fear of change.  When the life I had expected to lead was suddenly pulled out from under me, I was left to ask “what now?”  What an opportunity to redefine myself!

I realised that I had spent most of my life merely existing, and not living.  I had allowed other people to choose my path for me.  I followed a very conventional route, and lived up to Society’s expectations (a university degree in a “useful” subject, a stable job at a big company, marriage, a house in the suburbs…).  Divorce was a wake-up call to reevaluate the decisions I had made (or let others make for me) in all aspects of my life.  I realised that I wanted more out of my life.  Call it a mid-life crisis if you like.  I say, better late than never!

So many of us are not living our adventure.  Why not?  I believe that fear holds us back.  Oftentimes, we make excuses: “I’m too old/too busy/too out of shape…”  Excuses are fear in disguise.  If we analyse the fear, 99 times out of a hundred, it’s irrational.  We are simply afraid of the unknown; afraid to step out of our comfort zone.

Excuses also enable us to believe that we don’t have control of our own destiny.  There’s a perverse sense of comfort in that.  It means we don’t have to take responsibility for our own (un)happiness.  However, taking responsibility — although it can be a little frightening — is also liberating.  To me, living my life’s adventure is all about choice.  I must choose my adventure for myself, according to my passions, and not stumble along the “default” path of life (which is actually a choice in itself).  By recognising that I can choose any path that I want, I am empowered to follow my heart, and not convention.

What has all this meant for me?  I have gone part-time at my “big-company” job, and am using my extra time to run a business in photography, a field about which I am passionate.  I have embarked on a new love relationship (with a fellow adventurer!).  I continue to travel at every opportunity.  And I am now trolling the real estate news to find a new home in the country.  Small steps, but I get braver all the time!

Don’t wait for a catastrophic event in your life, like divorce or death of a loved one, before you embrace change.  Let go of your fear, and start living your adventure today!

I invite comments and feedback, and always welcome encouragement to keep me on track and away from the “fear trap.”