What It's Like to Be Superman...

Life ever thrown you a curve ball?

Man, sometimes it's really strange. Not that I'm old or anything, but I remember when I was younger. Ok, just two years ago really. No problems I couldn't handle, everything going great, my health was fine and life was grand.

And then BOOM! Suddenly I realized that I wasn't God. Or Superman either.

I know that this wasn't any major revelation. But what I mean is that I suddenly understood that it just wasn't really possible for me to control everything and have it go my way. Always.

And then a week ago another subtle reminder. Enough already.

I was in ER again with the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced. Friends called it "male child-birth." If that's really the case, it's a wonder we have population growth. I discovered to my joy and amazement I had kidney stones. In a word, wonderful! But I won't further burden you with this fun.

Anyone else have similar experiences that changed you somehow? Let me know.

The bottom line--what did I learn? I don't know yet, I'll keep you posted. I just know that these last few years have been a blow to my self-confidence and belief in myself.

I've begun to have much more compassion and understanding with others. I think they call that grace. My perspective on life has also changed drastically.

What I think is important these days is completely different than even 5 years ago. And yes, I'm not nearly as cocky, self-sure or thinking of myself as someone who can do anything and everything all the time.

Can you relate? What's your story?

Fear Failing Forward

FEARS can immobilize, paralyze and keep you stuck. Forget about how unrealistic they are or that they may not make any sense at all--to anyone but you. Fear can keep you from achieving your potential and stretching outside your comfort zone into someone you desire to become or doing something you've wanted to do for a long time.

Fear can be gut-wrenching, sickening and depressing. It is also one of the most LIMITING BELIEFS someone can have.

But don't give in to the pressure or the LIE that is holding you back, whatever that may be. Be courageous and stand up to it--believe me, in time you'll be glad you did. And, I realize it won't be easy. Doing great things usually isn't.

Someone once said that F.E.A.R. stands for: False Evidence Appearing Real. Nothing could be more true. When you internalize this and walk in it, you will find freedom to become who you desire to be and do things you never thought you could do.

Here's an encouraging snippet from Nelson Mandela's 1994 Inaugural Speech. I hope you find it uplifting and that it helps to move you forward. (Let me know what you think or if you have anything to share regarding this post.)

Our Greatest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest far is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

You were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within you. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.