Your World Within Podcast by Eddie Pinero - The Power Is Within You | Best Motivational Speeches 2023 | Wake Up Positive

Episode Date: June 30, 2023

"True power is within, and it is available now" - Eckhart Tolle

Hey there, it's Ryan Sechrest for Safeway. Now through February 25th, stock up on your favorite self-care items and save up to $3 shop in store or online for items like Old Spice Deodorant, always ultra-thin pads, Gillette Fusion Razors and Refills, Old Spice Total Body Spray, Tampax Pearl, and Gillette Mach 3 Razors and Refills and Save Up to $3. You won't want to miss out on these deals. Offer ends February 25th. Offers may vary. Restrictions apply. Visit Safeway.com for more detail.

on new tech. Upgrade the whole team at Lenovo.com. Unlock AI experiences with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, so you can work, create, and boost productivity all on one device. Win the tech search for business PCs at Lenovo.com. This moment is a collage of your past.

The steps that brought you here, of the things that shaped you. It's a story comprised of what you choose to remember. And so I ask which memories get your attention. Or do you choose to shine that potentially life-changing spotlight? What are you looking back on? Do you remember those times you felt lost? Those times life was turned upside down when you went in,

to panic mode when you were perfectly mapped out reality was shaken at its foundation. Yet you got up and found steady ground, didn't you? Do you remember that? Do you remember when the things you thought were forever turned out to be as fleeting as a setting sun? When you realized a life well lived would mean figuring out the vast majority of it on your own, relying on your own, relying on your own, on your courage and your strength. Yet you pushed into the dark of night and lit a path, didn't you? Do you remember that?

Do you remember the hard hits? The blatant losses, the gut-punching defeats when you looked in the mirror and thought, this reflection, it's just not who it needs to be. This burden is too much to carry. Yet you got yourself together. You found faith in your reflection. in your reflection and you not only carried that burden but you made something of it

didn't you do you remember that what do you choose to remember and I'm not talking imagine or create or bring to life know which truths are you letting in how quickly we forget who we are how fleeting the recollection of our strength See, if you take a single step back and examine, you'll see a breathtaking sample size of the demons already defeated. The mountains already climbed, the dragons already slayed, and you stand here now, afraid and unsure, as if you haven't already fought through the depths of hell. As if you haven't already proven to yourself that you've been there, as if this moment is new to you. You have what you need. And that's not the law of attraction or conjecture or hopeful thinking.

It's remembering what you know in your soul to be true. You are made for this road laid out before you. Our lives require failure. Like our lungs require oxygen. And when I find the world around me lacking in the resources that I need, it's because in so many ways I have forgotten to breathe. To step out my walls of comfort and breathe in lessons waiting to be taught by the greatest of teachers. Life. Life, the unpredictable and often unremarkable miracle,

the book that reveals itself through experience, that tells tales only in hindsight, our world is a book in which we choose our own ending, and so we must fail. Because failing means living, and we were meant to live. We must fail because, Every failure is the mark of a poet, an artist, or an author bringing this story one step closer to its resolution. Continually walking up to a blank wall and making a mark.

A single trivial mark. A mark that's misunderstood at best, but lightly scoffed at, ridiculed. But each mark gives meaning to the one before it. marks, they become chapters, become narrative shifts, become stories. Every failure you throw against this wall becomes part of a mural. It's an element of beauty before the work can even be deemed beautiful. Yet we continually misunderstand. When you hang your head in disappointment, when you see only the smudge of paint you through

against that wall, you are oblivious to the first. fact that you're making something meaningful. So here is my challenge to you. I dare you in the midst of the Mona Lisa you are creating to see it before it's done. I dare you to be strong enough to fail not just once, but over and over and over again. I dare you to keep your eyes focused, locked in on what's in front of you. When everyone you know hides their failures, when they scream of every little wind for all the world to hear, I dare you to understand what they do not, to cherish your failures, to maintain trust in the unseen. And when all you want is to get there, I dare you to see your greatness before you are

I dare you to look in the mirror and see the hero inside you right now. I dare you to do that. I dare you to take your struggle and see amidst the pain your purpose, your purpose that will lift you up when you've fallen and will carry you forward when you're lost. I dare you to see light when there appears only darkness, and when none presents itself, I dare you to see light when there appears only darkness, I dare you to light the spark to be the answer you need. I dare you to stand up to the human tendency

to embrace security over adventure and predictability over growth. I dare you to walk into the darkness of night knowing that today's unknown becomes tomorrow's foundation. And when it hurts, like truly hurts, hurts when you look around and can't remember why you began or what's pulling you forward. I dare you to close your eyes and imagine looking back and thanking yourself for taking this path. Every low is a courageous step towards transformation and if you've forgotten that,

I hope this reminds you why it all matters. I hope you remember why this mark, the one you're, are making right now is part of the masterpiece you've been longing for. It's taking you exactly where you need to be. What's one thing I wish I knew when I was younger that I think people could benefit from today? What single piece of information could have the biggest impact? I spent some time thinking about this question and the more I think about it, the more of the end. The answer becomes incredibly apparent. It's that you are in control of your own life, your own destiny, your own future.

And when you take accountability for yourself, life changes. Period. And if you thought that was obvious, I would advocate taking a look around. Maybe a stroll through social media, the Twitters and Instagrams and TikToks of today. And no, that's not the real world, but it's certainly a microcosome. microcosm of the real world. What do you see? Well, you see chronic blame. I don't like where I'm at or things are, so that must be your fault or their fault or someone else's fault. You see people looking everywhere but in the mirror, actually seeking out victimhood, because that's what

brings the attention. That's today's currency. It's much easier to be the victim than the hero, because being the hero means you have to sacrifice something. It's people saying the news or some institution or the federal government is the problem. And if those things would only change, then we'd be good. Let me explain why I think this mentality is self-sabotage. And why I would take younger me by the hand, and I would say listen to what I'm about to tell you.

Where you start is often outside of our control. Let's be real, life is not fair. We don't all get dealt the same hand. But this next part is I once heard Will Smith articulate beautifully is the same for everyone. What you decide to do about it right now is what matters. And that is the control that we will. control that we all have. It's not your fault where you start, but it's your responsibility to choose where you end up.

You can shake your fist at the sky or you can start building a life that matters to you. It's easy to blame the world, to be the victim, at least in the short term. But a fulfilling life is about meaning, about fighting for something valuable, about a evolving into the version of yourself that you always knew in your heart you could be. You just had to unlock. See, no one down the road was ever happy with themselves for blaming the world while they bitterly remained stagnant. I would say to a younger me, worry less about how you're perceived and think more about who you are, what you're capable of, because that you can always control.

Stop losing yourself in the news or whatever. Whatever the narrative of the day is, that has nothing to do with your progression, has nothing to do with your very next step. So sure, be informed, but do more, consume less. Because by and large, it's a distraction. And I would say the government, which has become the crux of our discourse today, transforming into a modern day religion, look, the government's job is not to give you anything. It's there to protect what's inherent to you already.

Your right to live life on your terms. See, satisfaction, it will come from good habits. It will come from self-belief. It will come from taking risks and failing and learning. It will come from the courage to step out into a world that's completely unknown. It will never come from a self-interested politician or body in Washington, red or blue. So stop whining about politics. political optics and focus on where your two feet are taking you right now.

Because I promise in the grand scheme of things, that's what matters. That is your strength. Expecting someone else to come along and change your life is like screaming into an abyss. I would say to my younger self, when you start looking around and seeing what everyone else has and beating yourself up for not being as good or feeling like you're behind, Look, it's great that their success motivates you, but dwelling on it won't make your life better. Life is a race between you and you. It's a fight between yourself and those thoughts that constantly knock on the door,

looking to settle into your psyche. If you defeat that demon, you'll be where you want to be, regardless of where others are. You're right where you need to be. so keep your head up and keep moving forward. I'd explain that to become something more, to change, requires a sacrifice that feels so substantial, so big at first,

that it bullies most people into staying right where they are. That to become something new, you have to learn to play the fool, to get humbled. You have to change your relationship with short-term failure. And that's not easy. But taking control of your life is not supposed to be easy. Only worth it. They're different.

And I can certainly look back at my own life, think about the times where I was so busy pointing out that I didn't even think to point the finger at myself. I was so worried about life being unfair that I existed in this temporary state of paralysis. The whole time not knowing that I could have been stepping forward. Could have been tapping

into the single greatest power I possess, control over my own life. See, every time you feel anger or the need to blame those around you, you're taking the spotlight off of what matters and placing it on things detrimental to

where you want to be, to your journey and your future. Even the most unjust, arbitrary things, let's say you did get that promotion you were beyond qualified for, or you were mistreated by someone or things didn't go the way you wanted them to. You can fill in that blank, but refusing to blame others and immediately taking responsibility. Again, even in a situation like that, it gives you one of the greatest advantages in life.

It gives you that gift of control. You can now assess the situation. You can now ask yourself, hey, what can I do to change? change this. You can delve into the why, find the lessons and the value. You can come back and re-approach this thing stronger. Because to blame others, to take on that role of victim, it's essentially living life in the passenger seat. It might be easier. It might be less work, less responsibility, but what you never have is control over where that car goes. But when you own it. When you say, hey, maybe it's not my fault, but look, it's mine now. It's my responsibility.

The good, the bad, every aspect of my life. It puts you in position to change things, to take the wheel and reroute to a destination of your choosing. So that would be my message to the world. I know it's not an easy road. I know life is unfair. I know things aren't perfect, but the best thing you can ever do for yourself is say, you know what, this is mine to own. And I'm going to look around for that light switch that will create momentum. That little decision that will get the ball rolling, I'm not going to sit back, shake my fist and blame life. I'm going to walk out that door and create life. That's where you'll find what you're truly looking for. Pick your head up and open your eyes.

I know how you feel. I know what it's like when all you can see is what's missing. I've been there before and most likely I'll be there again. I'm not here to tell you life is perfect or easy or pain-free, but to remind you that life is happening all around you and forever changing. It's hope and its opportunity, never more than a stone's throw away.

and that although it can seem tempting or even reasonable to think that tomorrow will just be more of today, that now is forever, don't. You're merely moving through the seasons of life. The ups and downs that constitute our most prized possessions, our most beautiful memories. It's an invitation and nothing more. And what I hope you understand is that it's right now,

In life's winter, when everything feels, well, dead, cold, black and white, that you have to see life in color. And look, we all know winters can be long, sometimes real long. But if you can find it in your heart to ride it out, you'll understand that what's in front of you is a door left ajar separating this chapter and the next. It's no more a burden than a blessing. I've always found comfort in the idea that winter is officially a beginning.

With everything ahead of you, spring-loaded. And during this time, as snow falls and coats the world in white, as the ordinary, even for a moment in time, becomes a surreal, a reset button, shaking every part of you like a snow globe on Christmas Eve, winter has this beautiful way. of putting its hand on your shoulder and reminding you that difficulty now means the best of life later. And so when you find yourself in the winters of life,

remember they're impermanent. That while difficult, while trying, these times are starting blocks. And nothing of value comes to fruition without them. And then there's spring. when that believing is rewarded. The seeds begin to grow root and emerge from the ground

when for the first time progress evolves from a fairy tale to something tangible, something you can touch, it's reassurance beyond the voice in your head. A sign that you've emerged from the valley you once feared was forever. That the color you dead, desperately longed for now appears on tree branches, flowers, its bluer skies, clearer views.

And when you find yourself amidst the springs of life, let it reassure you that the real world always catches up to the one behind your eyes if you simply carry on. Let it remind you that pain becomes progress and that if given the chance, life finds a way. And then we get to summer, the culmination of all that is good you have arrived. All the waiting, all the suffering, the belief, the hope, the patience, all manifesting into life at its best. Sand and saltwater regain their relevance. Days are longer, worries are less. This is the peak, the summit. It's why we dream. And when you find you, you find, yourself in the summers of life, don't miss a moment. Be grateful for every second. Breathe it in.

Recognize its magnificence and its splendor, accept its invitation to see the world as you always knew it could be. But remember that summer, like everything else, while it slips away with time. It's a call to simultaneously appreciate the now while refusing to live under the false pretense that winters can be mitigated, gone, forever, that life has no series of cycles. Endless summer is a state of mind, a state of mind that allows us to navigate

through the trials and the tribulations. And the goal is to understand that no summer does, doesn't last forever. But you can always find your way back here. There is always a place for you amidst the summers of life, even when it's hard to see. Even when it feels impossible, cold, dark, and lonely, you are always on your journey back here. Always.

My proof, New England, in the fall, the race. reds, the oranges, the yellows, painting for us the most beautiful masterpiece imaginable, as if to signal its infinite presence. And as the portrait falls leaf by leaf, piece by piece onto the ground, yeah, it will be covered up, but it will never be gone. It's the same hand on our shoulder explaining that your world will change, it always has, it always will, but you have everything you need. So whether you're in winter, spring, summer, or fall, and perhaps that's something only you would know.

I ask that you see it for what it is. Another trip around the sun, another tour through those seasons of life. Find that fire so that you can endure winter's cold. Nourish that seed of hope as it springs to life from the ground below you. Basque in the summer sun as it lights up the sky. Appreciate those leaves as they float around you like paper planes because all of it. Each and every part is you. Your story, your triumphant journey through the seasons of life.

Ready to prioritize yourself in the new year? Your skin is a great place to start. Dime Beauty, founded by a master aesthetician, is more than just a skincare company. With four skin conscious categories, skin care, beauty, body care, and fragrance, Dime offers simple, spa-worthy products

that will help you enter 2025 with confidence. Whether you're revitalizing your regimen with nourishing products or building one from scratch, Dime makes it easy. The work system our all-in-one best-selling routine includes a cleanser of your choice, toner, serums, and moisturizers.

Taking the guesswork out of skincare. for your healthiest, happiest skin yet. Dime's commitment to clean ingredients and sustainable packaging ensures every product is as gentle on your skin as it is on the planet. With thousands of glowing five-star reviews and a loyal community, the results speak for themselves. Revive your skin and give yourself the routine refresh you deserve by visiting dimebeautyco.com.

That's dimebeautyco.com. Your best skin awaits. Hey there, it's Ryan Sechrest for Safeway. Now through February 25th, stock up on your first. favorite self-care items and save up to $3 shop in store or online for items like Old Spice Deodorant, always ultra-thin pads, Gillette Fusion

Razors and Refills, Old Spice Total Body Spray, Tampax Pearl and Gillette Mach 3 Razors and Refills and save up to $3. You won't want to miss out on these deals. Offer ends February 25th. Offers may vary. Restrictions apply. Visit safeway.com for more detail.

I woke up, put my coffee on the desk, opened my laptop, stared at a blank screen, and a little button popped up in the top right corner. Check for updates. Nope. Ask me again later. Why?

Why not now? I don't know. I don't necessarily care about the improvements. I guess it's just inconvenient. It can wait. And that's kind of it. Let's face it, the laptop doesn't matter. The update.

in this scenario is not important. But bear with me, because I think what it stands for, when you apply it to the big picture, does matter. Our proclivity to take less because less is convenient. Our predisposition to sell ourselves short because it's safer, to leave so much of ourselves on the shelf, because well, things don't break when they're on the shelf. But you can't be both for,

flawless and live your life. Because life comes with wear and tear. The value is the experience. And a flawless existence is void of experience, of stories of adventure. There's a little parable about two seeds being planted. And one of them just wants to grow. Wants to feel what the sun is like. Wants to see how high she can get.

experienced the breeze, the cool air, and so she grew. And sure, she dealt with hard days. She had her difficult times, but ultimately grew to live her best life. The other seed worried. Worried about leaving her home, the world that was the ground around her, worried about damaging her roots, worried about what could be waiting for her in the dark, about the sun being too hot and the breeze too strong and ultimately stayed right where she was

playing it safe until one morning a chicken came wandering by and ate the seed off the ground and see this spells out a few things one we can at any moment decide to step into that next level evolve into that next chapter but also

not doing so comes with a cost, sometimes a hidden cost. There's a tendency to think that preserving the status quo because it's safe is valuable. But understand something, you are not a collector's item. You weren't made for preservation, you were made for growth, to expand, to reach out towards the heavens and feel that sun, that breeze. Ensure upgrading means vulnerability. It means accepting that the unknown is bigger than you,

but also contains within it everything you need. Whether it was people, things, money, resources. I used to think like that seat. How can I hold on to what I have? Contain, place small. I can't lose this. I've come too far, I've worked too hard. What if everything goes wrong?

I can't upgrade now, maybe later. Maybe someday when the time is right, when it won't hurt or require that I step outside of this little world I've created, but guess what? Growth always asks of us that we leave the comfort of now. It always offers us the world in exchange for the courage to see the unseen. and trust ourselves to bring it to life. And when I realize this, I saw how the act of trying to perpetually maintain the status quo is debilitating.

It's looking at life through a lens of scarcity. It's only when you start to grasp how abundant life is that you realize by simply stepping into that person you are destined to be, you'll attract what matters. Some things will go. You'll leave them behind. But those things no longer serve you. They played their part.

They added their value and are now merely stepping stones as you move to something greater. And that's just it. Sometimes living means wishing you did things differently, looking back and acknowledging that you need to be better. Sometimes living means losing the wrong people in your life. to make space for the right ones. Sometimes it means spending days, months, even years wandering down the wrong path

so that you can get a glimpse so that you can realize what the right path looks like. Sometimes it means no reward, no validation until that compounding finally takes place. Finally, you see just how powerful those small steps were and will always be. It means seeing yourself as the person you know you can be. Maybe not necessarily the one you are today,

but betting on yourself when no one else would. There's an idea that people are neither good nor evil, but they have both within them. They choose through their day-to-day action, how they'll live, who they'll be, and sure this is a tad oversimplified, but I think the duality is useful, right? because in a different context for everything that occurs in your life,

you can find a reason to celebrate or a reason to grief. A reason to grow or a reason to hide. It all comes down to what one chooses to see, how they choose to look at the world. I'll never forget when Peterson talked about curtains, right? With tears or holes in them. Same world on the other side. But the opening that you choose to look through

paints an entirely different picture, right, contributes to an entirely different understanding. And look, I'm a pragmatist, I just am, I'd never ask people to close their eyes and pretend everything's perfect, to wander down the path before you, expecting everything to be easy. No, but what I am saying is that the path before you is where you'll uncover the meaning in life, and meaning requires that we are from time to time uncomfortable. To go where we most want to go, we must leave something behind. And the reality is that while it's scary, while it can be alarming and even painful,

it is always worth it. That what's on the other side is what makes life worth living. I want you to know that you don't need to be walking into the same rooms, talking to the same people, doing the same things. No, not if you've outgrown that reality. Not if you're ready for the next chapter. So let's make a pact to view life not as an obligation, but as an opportunity.

Something challenging but beautiful, mysterious but plentiful. Let's view the challenges along the way, not as something going wrong or some kind of alarm, but rather an indication that you are doing something right, that you're stepping into the controlled cat. chaos of your day to day, finding the courage to meet new people, try new things, take risks, evolve. This is what life is about. And if you can find it within yourself to see it that way, to be grateful for the discomfort

that makes its way in and out of our lives, you'll know that you are evolving, reaching towards that sky. because the danger as far as I'm concerned is never what happens along the way. It's what doesn't happen because we never let ourselves accept what the world had to offer. So on that note, I think today is the perfect day to upgrade. If you have the ability to love, love yourself first. Charles Wukowski. So last week I was in Utah.

And while I was there, I did some guided breath work, which had never done before. And honestly, it was a little skeptical at first. But I try and keep an open mind and gave it a shot. I'm happy I did. It ended up potentially being one of the most important things I've ever done. And I want to share why. Because this breakthrough or aha moment, if you will, was exactly what I needed when I needed to hear it. So this episode's going to be a little different than usual, but I feel compelled to pass it along.

So to set the scene, I arrived with a friend of mine to the instructor, Jen's location. She gave us an overview, kind of explaining what the next hour is going to look like, and handed me a notebook to write down my goal for this session. And the notebook becomes pretty important as the story goes on. But I opened it, and I wrote what I'd like to use this session to reflect on. to be the walls that I have a tendency to build around myself. Right? That day, that felt like the most pertinent obstacle of my life. I saw it as an opportunity to push back against that reality

that human beings love to create normal and then latch onto it. And that's not ideal because when we do that, we stop looking for places to grow. We stop pushing, we stop seeking to live life to the fullest. In other words, we settle. we settle. And so I wrote that down. I closed a notebook, laid back on this incredible fuzzy blanket, and the music got turned on. We began the breathing pattern, in, in, out, in, out. Jen started guiding us, verbally taking us back to a conversation with our younger selves. The journey had begun.

And this is the part where things get really interesting because my thoughts really did feel like some strange mix of dreaming and hallucinating, just from breathwork. But at some point, she referenced the need to let go and said the words, you know, we weren't meant to suffer or hold on to suffering. And that really cut deep because I know there are. so many places where I've rationalized continuous suffering in my life. I'd speculate that in some way we all do. When the hard thing or the uncomfortable thing, when they stop being stepping stones and instead just become the way things are, becomes a concession.

Hey, this doesn't feel good, but it's my life. This person holds me down, but it's how things are. I don't like doing this every day. It eats at me, but hey, life, am I right? That's learned helplessness. It hides in the corners and the nooks and crannies of life, subtle enough that we don't give it much thought. And I imagined very vividly climbing down a ladder,

placed on the edge of this dark canyon that went straight down. Down, down, down. Everything. My entire landscape was black and white. There was zero color, except for the rays of light barely visible at the bottom. All the way down as I descended into the canyon. The colors, they'd get a little stronger, a little brighter,

as if every step put a little more vibrance into my life. Each move down made things a little clear, the latter becoming quicker and quicker, eventually turning into a slide that brought me down to the base of the canyon, where upon landing and standing up, everything was illuminated. Fields of sunflowers, waterfalls, birds chirping, the sun shining, and it was there in that moment, I realized, my. intention for the class. That when I wrote down in that little notebook, well, it missed the mark. Not in the sense of being incorrect or wrong necessarily, but it simply wasn't enough.

See, at the root of it all, or at the bottom of that canyon existed life with the courage to love yourself. not just accept yourself, not just be okay with your existence, but love yourself. With all your faults and your struggle, with all your mistakes and your history, became clear to me how much changes when you love with all your heart the person staring back at you in the mirror. The opinions of others, they do not be. guide your decision-making, how could they? How could others know you better than you? In fact, those opinions are part of the black and white landscape to be left behind at the top of the mountain, the consistent suffering you've become accustomed to, the learned helplessness you endure,

that's not acceptable to someone who truly loves him or her. Loving yourself means pushing away that which is not you. It's finding that ladder down to the beautiful world of authenticity and truth, the magic of being aligned with what really matters. And what's funny is, I can talk about breaking down barriers. They should be broken down. I can talk about stepping into fear because it should be confronted. I can talk about finding a way out when we're stuck and a way up when we're down.

I can talk about all of that every day of my life. But none of it matters if you don't learn to fully love the reflection in the mirror more, more than you ever thought you could. Think about the gift you could give to that younger version of yourself. Think about what you could give to those close to you, your family, your friends. Think about what you could do for the world if you left those black and white concessions behind you and lived a life true to yourself. It is, of course, not always easy. But I learned that day that it is the North Star.

It's what we build upon. So before we ask how to shape the world around us, maybe we should be asking, how do we embrace the one within us? Maybe we should learn to love ourselves so deeply that those walls don't need to be broken down. Because in time, we'll learn not to build them up in the first place.

We'll learn that in a world of black and white, it is acceptance and trust and confidence and love that gives it color. For a second, imagine that feeling in your stomach. The nerves, the discomfort, maybe even the doubt as you walk up to do that one thing that scares you. It stretches you just a little bit further than you're ready for. And as you move towards that sort of dark, unknown, the mysterious discomfort, what's on your

mind? Are you starting to rationalize? Maybe you're asking yourself, hey, why did I do this to begin with? Seemed like a good idea at one point. It seemed bold and adventurous. But now it seems like the wheels have hit the road in the narrative. is shifting in real time. So try and recreate that feeling for a second.

Looking fear in the eyes. Capture what it means, physically, mentally. For me, it was public speaking. Half a decade ago, standing backstage, palms sweating, little voice in my head saying, hey Ed, a cubicle doesn't seem so bad right now, does it, genius. Maybe, you know, for you in this scenario,

it's that big test that feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Everything's on the line. Maybe it's something like starting a conversation with a complete stranger, interview for a job you want, starting line of a race, having the courage to speak your mind online. Maybe it's doing something your family doesn't quite get, or your friends won't understand, cutting ties with what's comfortable,

a decision to be what you've always wanted to be. There's a million possibilities. There's a lot of fear that we dance with on a day-to-day basis. But in that moment, as your feet start moving in the very direction that will bring your ideas closer to your reality and you're hit with that same feeling, that wall that tells us something isn't quite right. That's what I want to discuss. Because it's hard to be met with this feeling and still move confidently in the same direction.

cognitive dissonance there? How can something feel wrong and be right? Should there be disconnect? You know, it's funny, I really enjoy reading quotes, and particularly Lewis Carroll has resonated with me over the years. You know, things he said in his works, they're witty, they're funny, but they're powerful. And one in particular stood out to me. It's why sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. I just loved the concept, the idea of immersing yourself in the impossible, in the difficult, the thing that's not right in front of you, that's sort of creating it as you go. So I got through the looking glass and adventures of Alice in Wonderland. It was an interesting read.

I'm not sure I'd recommend it for everyone, but there was certainly one thing that popped out at me that I found incredibly valuable. And it was in Alice's journey holistically, right? She goes into this rabbit hole and the world is basically upside down. Nothing is as it was before she jumped. Nothing really makes sense. And what you see is her progression as a character as she starts continually embracing the thing that feels abnormal, upside down and weird.

But with each decision to move forward, she completely redefines this insane world that wasn't particularly warm and receptive to Alice to begin with. She stands up to a queen running around ordering executions. She navigates a world with new rules and guidelines. She transforms the boundaries that used to define reality. And what I think is valuable is that there really wasn't this boom, transformative moment where everything changes.

She just keeps subtly saying, yes, she keeps moving forward without knowing for sure how things will work out or unfold. as if she's supposed to. And she becomes so accustomed to suppressing that feeling of fear and uneasiness that it almost becomes comical. She goes with it, it becomes the author of a new story. She becomes untouchable in this world. And my point here, and for those of you not a fan of Alice in Wonderland,

I appreciate you hanging on, but where these dots connect is that it's actually a pretty simple idea. life unfolds in a way that is unimaginable. When we shift our thinking from, oh no, here comes that feeling in my stomach again, my heart's pounding, my palms are sweating, so I've wandered too far. When you change that to here comes that feeling in my stomach, heart pounding, palms sweating, so here comes the beginning of something incredible, life shifts. See, it's not running from that temporary feeling of fear and just comfort, but harnessing it. It's a weapon. It's a tool. It fuels the rocket ship headed to the moon.

It's the water that that seed of opportunity is dependent upon. And sure, it feels new and unsettling. And yeah, it's uncomfortable. But so is, as we learn, everything good. And sure, you could turn back. You could avoid that manufactured conflict, confrontation altogether. But man, you have to be okay never knowing what those peaks could have been. You have to be content imagining a life of adventure and not living it. And to me, that's a much steeper price. Right? Because that feeling of fear in your stomach, it's temporary. It goes away. But the feeling of knowing you walked away when life held out its hand and offered you more, that doesn't go away. And see, I look at it like this. Two things change every time you say yes.

Every time you acknowledge the organized chaos and move forward anyway, you move both your internal and external worlds one step forward. Internal because life is your identity. And as has been said before, humans always follow through on who they believe they are. I've heard actors saying the most important decision they make is the shoes they put on. because it lays the groundwork for how you feel. You just feel differently about yourself in clown shoes than you would in basketball shoes than you wouldn't dress shoes. You feel different about yourself in a suit than you wouldn't sweatpants.

And this doesn't mean go reassess your wardrobe, it highlights how malleable identity is. Yeah, we follow through on who we believe we are, but the powerful thing is who we believe we are is created every single day. Every time we use fear to propel us forward, right? Your subconscious goes, okay, that's who I am. Someone who does the uncomfortable thing. Someone who is okay with fear, that's me. Right? And that's the internal foundation that means everything.

That's how identity is constructed. And if you stack that up with action every single day, you won't even be able to recognize yourself. That's the internal transformation. Then there's the external transformation. Every time you push through fear, you level up. up, not significantly. You aren't immediately transformed.

In fact, sometimes you don't even notice. But the truth is, after you say yes, after you take that step, you're fractionally further than a few minutes earlier. Your relative ceiling is now the floor, and it's time to take another step. This is how you create distance over time. So when you hear the word fear,

let's rewire that reaction. Let's change how we think about. about it. Because it's not a monster in the closet. It's not some demons staring you in the face. No, it's a ticket to something more, something to be embraced and coveted. It's the next little step in your journey.

And why when most of the world bows down to that feeling of discomfort or instability and stays the same, you will have moved forward. Not in a single leap, but a step. A step that over time will be the reason that at some point, when you look over your shoulder, you'll find a life, a world, a reality that is unrecognizable in the context of where you began.

It's why fear is not to be avoided or even tolerated, but sought out as this single variable that puts a pulse in your aspirations, gives hope to your dreams. The ideal life is not predicated. on the avoidance of fear, but the ability to harness and capitalize on its power.