It looks like this post turned out to be another sequel to my posts Back and Forth and The Necessary Eye Of The Storm. It seems to be an important subject right now.
I was talking about the comfort zone, about making decisions of going towards a new direction or going back, and about those decisions within a bigger decision process. I was talking about that in the end, every decision teaches us something necessary which makes detours or “trips” so important!
I want to continue here with one of the crucial points that hold us back from going toward something new. The “What if…?” question is in our minds as soon as we don’t see the path in front of us! A new education, a new love, moving, a new job, starting a new business, simply doing something we haven’t done before and don’t know how it may work out.
You know what? Nobody knows how something works out they never did before. There is no experience only a vision, an idea, a feeling! The more unfamiliar something appears the bigger that “What if…?” can become. What if I get hurt again, what if I make a fool of myself, what if I have to confess I cannot make it, what if nobody likes me… What did all the great inventors and explorers do? If they had asked themselves that question we would still live in caves.
The difference lies in the point of view! When there is something new coming up why is the first reflex to find reasons why it won’t work? We may have no confirmation for the desired outcome but we don’t have it for the opposite either! But there is one thing we always have: our intention! My intention is the most important part of anything. Even though I already see that things are going to be difficult as long as my intention is directed to the outcome I want to achieve, it is possible or I will find ways to make it happen!
We get influenced all day by the news, people around us, commercials, … and much more. Mostly this happens unconsciously and we find ourselves inside of thinking patterns that are more limiting than supporting. But we don’t realize it. We believe that we are thinking reasonably in trying to limit “risks”! But what we forget is that even staying in the old can be a risk because nothing down here was created for eternity. Things change, people change, life changes, we change…! If we don’t push our circumstances then we are pushed by our circumstances. We mustn’t let our thoughts become the master over us. We need to be the master of our thoughts. I am that being that thinks my thoughts that way I can choose what thoughts to think!
Again, if I have no experience with something new, why should I start collecting all possible thoughts on why it won’t work out? Why shouldn’t I start finding thoughts about why it can work out? Why don’t we make the question: What if it works out? What if I find the most wonderful friends? What if I make a lot of money? What if I can start a successful new career? Now, what if both ways to ask generates more power, more curiosity, more joy, more enthusiasm, more excitement, more innovation, and more engagement? Which one of the two questions is the one that opens doors? Which one makes things possible? Which one inspires and intrigues others? Which one will be supported by others?
Yes, we may not know the path ahead and we don’t even need to. It is a new adventure and we can only find out as soon as we are on it. That’s the challenge and the learning experience. The more open you are the more you will know where to put your next step. Ask yourself the “What if…?” question and while asking yourself all the possible positive outcomes you burn the doubt and raise a passionate determination. That should be the only focus when we take that first step!
In Love and Light
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Hi Erika,
This is very inspiring! I have often spoken this phrase to myself and leaped in. I have not been successful each time but you know what? I have a great satisfaction of having tried, of not getting scared of the circumstances and situations and now I have no regrets because I know within my heart that I did my best. I grabbed all those opportunities that life had offered and learned to face failures with a wry smile.
Thanks for those quotes, which reinforce the facts of life. The last one is my favorite…thoughts make us what we are! 🙂
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Hi, dear! Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your own experience here. It is true. It doesn’t always need to work out but at least we need to act as if and try it out. Only then we can be sure about it. Otherwise we will always think back about the “What if … I had tried it?”. Yes, I am totally with you in that! Thank you very much again 😊
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Wise words dear Erika.. and we are all too often our own worst enemies as we set ourselves up to failure often before the venture has started..
I look back now on my youth.. and I see how much more we lived in the NOW of our moments, Like Eckhart Tolle says.. Live in the Now..
Yet we are stepping beyond our Now and jumping to the future already thinking our now discussions are not going to work out so we set them up to fail..
I have been re reading Wayne Dyers book of The Power of Intention. Its a bedside book I pick up and read a chapter each night.. You know how inspired I am by all this man stood for in his life.. And to re read this book has inspired me again to stop thinking negative outcomes.. ( as I view the world especially right now ) or we shall indeed create them into existence.
So what you wrote here Erika, of the What ifs.. goes right to the heart of us Humans.. and how we often are programmed to think of the worst outcomes, instead of seeing the successful come into being..
Another wonderful write up my friend laced with positive quotes..
Much Love and Blessings in ALL your Intentions.. May each and every one be a Huge Success..
😍😀💜
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Sue, I am humbled every time you leave a comment. The time you take for reading and for commenting so detailed… I touches me so much.
Yes, it is a mystery that we often think of the worst case first although there are so many more options. And you are so right, it has to do with living in the future and fearing something we have no control about because the future doesn’t exist! It is a time we will never experience. We only have the now! So why worry about somthing we don’t know anything about.
You inspired me a lot with talking about reading Dyer’s book again. I read it too and it would be amazing to start reading one or all of his books again. To me he is an angel sent to spread healing and I feel it right now strongly!
Thank you for your amazing words, Sue 💖
(I see, you enjoy those emojis… lol)
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I so agree with your last paragraph Erika.. Wayne truly was sent to wake us all up to ourselves.. 💕
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Yes, I really feel that way too!💖
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This is so apt for me at the moment Sis. I am normally a creature of routine and habit, sticking to what I know….BUT I also have another side thst is a little ambitious and determined. I will stray out of my comfort zone to find out what is on a different path. 🙂
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I understand you so well. I also need that push and pressure at times until I start moving. But once I do, I am unstoppable… lol! So, get the engine started, sis 😁
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Oh yes, my motor is running! 🙂
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YES!!!
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How did I miss this one?? This is really good, Erika! The way I see it is that we sometimes have to take risks in life in order to get what we really desire. I really needed to read something like this today. You’re so inspiring! ❤ Thank you!
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See, and that is reason you read it today and not yesterday! The perfect moment for you! Yes, I see it the same way. We need to risk something and believe that the chances that it works is not limited only because haven’t done it before! Big hugs, Lisa!
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Reading it on Monday would’ve been just as good! Hugs Erika! 💖
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Ah, ok 😁💖
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😂
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A great post Erika! Yes the “what if” does hold us back in many ways. I love your points and the quotes. A wonderful post xoxo
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Right! We only need to change the second part of the question and the obstacle turns into a chance! Thank you very much, dear Lynn! Have a lovely day 💖
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Xxxx
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I’m in a place right now that I find myself seeking a something new to fill in a chunk of time yet I don’t know what that new something is. I just know it exists. Eagerly I wish to step into this new but how do I do that when I don’t know what it is? I used to have a friend who said until that time arrives, chop wood and carry water. In other words, just carry on and a way will be made. Loved your post, Erika. I haven’t seen you in a while and I hope all is OK. I’ve been very sporadic here on WP and really contemplating on quitting. Not sure of that either. Much Love to you this day! ❤
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Hi, Amy! I think it is a wise advice your friend gave to you. The less we bother ourselves with knowing something that is not available yet only drives us nuts. Whatever needs to happen until we are ready to receive the information, we will see it better when we simply stay open-minded and allow it to happen.
I haven’t been on WP on the weekend. Only for writing and scheduling and for replying to comments. My life has never been busier. I don’t think of quitting but of taking an unlimited time-out until all has settled again. By know the pain level doesn’t seem to be high enough… lol! I hope you can soon see through and perhaps a simple break for a while would already give you some more room to breathe 💖
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I’m so used to busy this lull is driving me nuts. That and my life just doesn’t seem to fit anymore. I’ve visited this place before but this time is a big one. Thanks for taking the time to write. It means a lot. 💖
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That was a statement that spoke to me: Being used to busy! I hear you well. It is not even about being busy but what you are busy with. There must be more fulfilling and you feel that there is something and the feeling grows!
Sure, Amy, always 💖
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A very important life perspective Erika. Great Post. 🙂
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Thanks a lot, Colin! I appreciate your comment very muhch 😊
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As my former Pastor the Rev. A.R. Bernard used to say, “The only constant in life is change.” Change happens even if we refuse to change. Several years ago I had a nice, comfortable job with benefits making good money. I always thought that by increasing my learning via earning a college degree that would insure my career goals. Not so! By 2006 the economy in America began to collapse and I found myself unemployed for a year.
The thought of being without a job with no health benefits collecting unemployment insurance had not even occurred to me. It was a shock to my system. My thoughts did not bring me to where I am today because all that has happened has to do with the American political system and economy. Believe me when I say I thought I was going to be riding high on success and prosperity forever!! Nor did I ever think that I would have a stroke at age 49 and retina surgery in Jan. 2010 or be forced to live with some vision loss. Trust me that was not in my plans at all!!
Fortunately I did get another job Jan. 2008 as a low paid security guard which is not a utilization of my job, skills, talents or gifts but you take what is available or what you can get in order to survive. Also it is a Union job with health benefits which I must have so my health has changed with more medical challenges as I get older.
Provided nothing else drastic happens with the American economy I plan to retire sometime between 2018 and 2020.
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I am sorry that the plan did not work out, Deborah. So much happens which is out of our control. Change in the political system, health issues. For whatever reason it happens… it happens. We cannot control others or their actions. What is necessary is that we don’t stop finding ways to deal with what the uncontrollable lets happen. You are a great example. You are a fighter. Although the job situation changed due to outer occurrence and your health was challenged you did not give up and you stood up again. If you can even retire in a few years you made something many others can only dream of!!!
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It’s the age-old concept of the self-fulfilling prophesy. If we expect things to go badly, they will. If we expect success, it can happen. We can envision the future and direct our energy toward making it happen. If we believe !! Great Monday inspiration you have here, Erika.
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Thank you very much, Van! Yes, it is exactly about that concept. And it works unconsciously. The way we reflexively think is what we believe and what we believe is the energy we radiate! So as soon as we realize that we reflexively think destructive we need to aks ourselves: Why? Since there are two options. And then shift to the constructive one.
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Good and inspiring continuation on your previous posts. Bottom line..if we don’t at least try, we will remain in the obscurity of what could have been.
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That’s the perfect way to sum it up. Heck, you always sum my posts up with one sentence😂
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Your content is always inspiring! 😊
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Thanks a lot and I can only give the compliment back. Sorry, I almost left a post in your comment box. But it was too inspiring… lol!
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Lol… you can paraphrase yourself in a future post..
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LOL, who knows! Sometimes I think I always do that… haha!
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Haha…too funny (and true)!
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😄😄 Thank you!!
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You’re welcome!! 😀
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Thanks, Erika. We aren’t here for ever and we have to try while we are because perhaps wonder and magic are just waiting for us at the end of the road we haven’t taken yet. Have an amazing week.
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What a great way to state it, Olga! So right! We need to believe in the good outcome in order to keep it going and discover as much as possible of ourselves and of life!
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This was really good sis. You can’t live in the what if forever!
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At least not in the doubting way. But having our eyes on the fulfilling option the “What if”-game becomes a creative tool! Thank you so much for reading, sis 😘
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Too true!!!
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😊😊
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Yes, Erika! I couldn’t imagine a life of not having this blog or writing my own novel. I wouldn’t have met such great people like yourself 😉 So I’m happy I stopped self doubting myself and decided to act on what I’ve always wanted. You’re a sweet burst of motivation this morning ☺
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Awesome, Anthony!! And I can only confirm your words. I see what has changed in your posts. Once we experienced and rediscovered the power we have, we won’t ever stop anymore using it, right? I am very happy that we are connected!!
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So am I 😀😉
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😁😁
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Great post and I agree so much, Erika 😀
Especially I love this sentence: If we don’t push our circumstances then we are pushed by our circumstances.
This is so true, so why not take the leading for ourselves?
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Yes, that’s exactly it! If we can move something then we should take the chance and don’t wait until anything moves us!
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The What? The If? are the sensitive questions that trouble and irritate.
It Works Out ?
It Works Out !
There is a hell of a difference between the above two.
So the Question itself plays a very important role or a role that it should not play at all.
Just jumping into the well or water, one shall start batting the legs and hands and half of swimming is learnt, the rest is time; one has learnt swimming.
Erika Good One !
It Works!
Shiva
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It simply is about the attitude of the one who is asking. Like seeing the glass half full or half empty. Am I a maker or a doubter? That’s basically it.
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