When I look back at my
career transitions I often see fear as a constant theme. I have been
afraid of what people would think about me. Moving from what you know to
what is new is already scary enough. But often it makes us go to that teenage
space of "what will others think?" It is sometimes enough to
stop us on our path, to quit moving towards a life worthy of the calling we
have received.
Sometimes we are on the
other side of this. We think "what is s/he thinking?" when we
think about choices our children, friends, family or acquaintances are making.
We may laugh at their ideas. We may want them to conform.
Once when I was in the
parking lot at the grocery store I embarrassed one of my teenage children when
I yelled ahead to a stranger. “Hey, I’ll
take your cart back into the store for you since I am on my way in.”
Witnessing interactions with strangers by our parents can be
embarrassing, I remember that. But when I looked back to the time when I
was starting school in my early 40’s to become a licensed massage therapist
this same kid told me to "be myself and stand out." Why? Because even in our teenage years we learn
resilience and cheer for the underdog.
Reflective questions:
1. Are you in transition or
watching someone you know/love struggle with finding their path?
2. Where do you fall on the
continuum of fear….are you sick with worry or do you feel the strength of *God
behind you/them?
3. What does God* want you to
know about this (ask directly, God what do you want me know)?
* I use the term God as a universal
term. You may decide that Great Spirit, Allah, Higher Power, etc. better
suits you for today. It is not for me to decide.
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