My lovebug and I were lucky enough to see the Michael Jackson-themed Cirque du Soleil on Saturday (*insert Moonwalk!*).

The show was fabulous and ohhhh, was I ever in heaven with all the dancing, glitter and glow lights!  But above all there was one performer who really caught my attention – a dancer with one leg.

As I watched in awe and fascination, this incredible man busted out some seriously impressive dance moves with just a set of crutches and a huge, confident grin.

And just one word came to mind:

 

Fearless

 

I’ve been thinking about fear and self-limiting beliefs a lot lately since leaving the safety net of my corporate job a couple of weeks ago to pursue my passion for helping women transition to happier, healthier lives full-time.  It took a lot of courage (and planning) and a huge leap of faith for me to follow my heart and say goodbye to the relative safety and security of being an employee in favour of a life of uncertainty.

I could easily have ignored the calling and stayed on the path more travelled, but after deep reflection I realised I wanted more than that.  I want a life filled with love, beauty, creativity and passion.  I want to feel like I’ve given my all and made a positive impact (no matter how small) on this world.  To me, this is worth all the risk and hard work involved in soulpreneurship.

 

It reminded me of a recent lecture from my Institute for Integrative Nutrition studies. The lecturer asked us to close our eyes and imagine ourselves with powerful confidence.

Do it with me now.  Close your eyes and just imagine yourself standing tall, shoulders back, heart filled to bursting with dreams and possibilities…

 

What would you do if you were fearless?

 

Would you ask to move to that other project at work – the one that actually inspires you? Would you enrol in a night study course and not be nervous about going by yourself? Ask that cute man out for lunch? Turn down (with a huge, sexy smile) that piece of cake you don’t really want?  Go somewhere you’ve never been?

Take a few moments to really imagine yourself in those scenarios and really soak up how it feels. Do you feel sassy? Strong? Sexy? Independent? Playful? Liberated? Amazing?

Allowing yourself to really explore how unshakeable confidence – as it relates to your life – would make you feel  is the most powerful way to inspire you forward.

 

Now open your eyes and just imagine how much richer your life could be if you got out of your own way.  If the only thing holding you back is a lack of confidence, the only thing really holding you back is YOU, gorgeous.

 

You don’t have to launch right into the big, scary things (huge life changes call for serious planning), but what’s one small thing you could do this week to make you feel that way?

Will you call and book that course you’ve been wanting to do for years?  Experiment with cooking an exotic vegetable or something you’ve never cooked before?  Try a new sport or hobby?  Strike up a new conversation (and maybe friendship) with that nice new person at work?  Make the first move to mend a broken-down friendship?  Take yourself on a date to see that new art exhibition that no-one else wants to go to?  Share something with your family you’ve been too afraid to share until now?

 

photo credit: oklanica via photopin cc
photo credit: oklanica via photopin cc

 

Write it down, carry it with you, and cross that thing off ASAP, baby!

Look yourself in your beautiful eyes in the mirror and tell yourself you will kick butt today.  You will be that confident woman you just imagined.  You will do one little thing that scares you every day and by doing so, you will learn and grow; becoming stronger and even more confident.

Remember: your history – your life story – does not define you, beautiful.  You are creating yourself in every moment of every day and with every little act of bravery and kindness.

Be your own cheerleader and hero.  Rock your own world.  Take chances.  Dare to dream and to love.  Your life will be so much richer for it.  xx

 

photo credit: Spencer Finnley via photopin cc
photo credit: Spencer Finnley via photopin cc

Feature Image photo credit: Spencer Finnley via photopin cc

9 Comments on On Being Fearless

  1. Nicole Marie Story
    September 23, 2013 at 4:50 pm (10 years ago)

    I absolutely love this! I am fearless. It took a long time to get to this place. But I, too, left my secure corporate job to create my start-up. I write about my healthy life after living 11 years with the condition clinically defined as Bulimia Nervosa. And I don’t care what people think of me, allowing me to live passionately. To live my way. It’s gorgeous. And I am so excited for you. Clearly you are going to make a huge difference in the lives of many. You already do through your blog. Can’t wait to read more. And PS: I am such a moonwalker for life! 😉

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      September 25, 2013 at 7:52 pm (10 years ago)

      haha, how great is the moonwalk! 🙂 And it’s so liberating to take the road less travelled, isn’t it. I love that you have broken free of the confines of your previous condition and have started a delicious new journey. It takes courage and strength of character but the rewards are so worth it. Sending you huge hugs and love. 🙂 x

  2. Lisa
    September 27, 2013 at 12:24 pm (10 years ago)

    What a gorgeous piece! Congratulations on your change of direction. What a wonderful, inspiring mentor you are to those you come into contact with. I agree that it’s important to be fearless, as you say. In our world we are so focussed on pursuing financial security and the acquisition of material things that we never stop and think about what we really want and what our passions really are. Your words are refreshing and speak to those of us who need to stop conforming and start creating!

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      October 1, 2013 at 9:53 am (10 years ago)

      Thank you so much for your beautiful words, Lisa. It definitely takes courage to break free of conformity but the reward is a truly authentic life and a much deeper, richer experience. I hope to help many women follow their passion, chase their dreams and create like crazy! 🙂 xx

  3. Marian Hearne
    September 27, 2013 at 4:37 pm (10 years ago)

    Hi Bex, good on you for following your heart. It’s taken me too many years to do just that. I’m starting out myself on a dream I’ve had for years. It truly is scary, but coupled with that I keep wishing I’d done it sooner. No pleasing some of us, is there? You just know in your heart when it’s right. I have great admiration for you. It took a lot of courage for me and I’m as nervous as heck so I know how you feel:)

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      October 1, 2013 at 9:55 am (10 years ago)

      Thank you so much, Marian, and I know you will be fantastic at whatever you choose to do. Passion is powerful and I’ve seen you definitely have that! Any big life changes are bound to be scary but you know what’s even scarier? Never trying.
      Go forth and sparkle, bella! xx

  4. Nicole Nichols-Smith
    November 7, 2013 at 11:19 pm (10 years ago)

    I find this to be very inspirational, I have been divorced since 1993 and raised three children, finished three degrees and work in a job that is not fulfilling. I have a dream to move to sunny Florida and live by the ocean earning my livelihood as a writer. My youngest just moved out of the nest a few months ago so there is nothing holding me back but me. My current lease expires in the spring and then I plan on making my move. Although, my family (parents and children) don’t want me to I feel it is time to do what makes me happy and find my joy. This year everything has become more real about what I am looking for and I was thinking about why I couldn’t make the move one of them being my pets. They can move too. So other than others limiting views on my dreams there is truly nothing that can stop me.

    • * Vegan Sparkles *
      November 11, 2013 at 1:14 pm (10 years ago)

      Sounds like the pull of your dreams and the right timing are really materialising for you now, Nicole. It can be quite confronting and scary for loved ones when you want to make big life changes, but when they see how happy you are being true to yourself and your dreams it’s likely they’ll see it’s the right thing for you. I wish you every success and happiness! Writing by the ocean sounds magnificent. xx

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