Sometimes the thought of looking back and re-examining your life is intimidating. There are some memories that leave me feeling like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff and am about to be pushed off.
That’s when I have to ask myself: Joy, what are you afraid of?
Usually, the first answer is that I’m afraid what others will think of me. Isn’t that sort of silly? Everyone I know knows that I’m not perfect.
The next thing I worry about is that if I hedge on the truth, anyone who reads my journey will know. I want to be honest, but now, I’m standing on the edge of that cliff with my soul naked.
The third answer is that I’m afraid of the condemnation of others. Where I’ve fumbled will others see failure? Is that all they’ll remember?
See a pattern here? My fear is almost always about me wanting to please people with my stories. To make them feel good about themselves and me.
I’m not alone. Other Legacy Givers tell me their fears are similar.
How do I handle this fear? I look at my internal compass and ask myself 2 more questions:
Is there value for others in my story?
Is there a chance I might discover or re-discover about myself in this story?
If my answers are yes, and they almost always are, I’ve got a story worth telling. Am I still afraid? Yes. Do I still need a shove? Sometimes. Do I really believe my stories will make a difference? Yes. At the right time, to the right person, they will. In the meantime, I always learn more about who I was, who I am, and who I might become.
Is it all about me? Well, as I write my Legacy, it is the story of me. Does it matter? Yes. All our stories matter.
Are you ready to join me and other Legacy Givers on the edge of the cliff? Get ready. . .get set. . .soar!
Welcome to the adventure that is your life,
Joy
About Joy Dekok
Again, this is excellent! I think this is why I am struggling with my second article this year.
It’s like I have the idea of the entire message in my head, but when I sit down to write, it vanishes into thin air!
Maybe I am afraid that this article will not be as good as the last one or that I won’t be able to trust God for the completion of this assignment.
However, I must somehow move forward and get it done …
It will come – keep sitting down. God will meet you there. Have you journaled the struggle you’re having writing this article? That sometimes helps me. Just a thought. I’m praying for you right now, Catherine!