"Do not let where you are now determine where you are going to be in the future! Nor the fear that creeps in."
Once more, the school's Finals week arrives. And by Saturday or even earlier, I would have written a number beside a student name that either says he moves on or repeats. Pain will be felt by those who did not make the cut. Maybe a cut he is trying to make for the 4th time or even the 5th.
I can empathize with that. Who on earth has not failed and made a mistake? The path of men of worth and substance is riddled with life lessons painfully gained. From the readings I have, it seems, a setback is the tuition fee they paid to prepare themselves for the moment we all now read and celebrate.
If only fear stayed at home and did not bother us in the journey :)
It is not so much about not making the cut but it is the thing that we associate with not making the cut. It is about the belief that we unconsciously or consciously but immediately attach to setbacks. A thing that we attach that feeds and nourishes the monster called fear.
And in the end, fear will eventually stop us. Fear immobilizes in a very subtle and unnoticeable way. So unnoticeable that we will give up on who we are meant to be. And that could mean settling for second best. That could also mean lowering one's goal. That could also mean, and the worst, accepting that we are really destined to dragged ourselves for the rest of our lives.
What are we feeding it? And why are we feeding it? What do we believe that gives fear so much power that it kidnaps the future we want. A future we aspire and dream.
Let's slow down things and think it through: A setback happens. We put a meaning on setback. What meaning do we associate in a setback? ________. This meaning will trigger an emotional response, like fear :) or focus.
Fear is a reaction. The same with focus. But the important thing to know and see is the answer to - what are we reacting to? What meaning do we unconsciously but immediately give setbacks?
If all the reactions we gave is limited to fear and the actions, or non-actions, that follows has not done us any good, then we better do something else. Because the results will not change if we continue to do the same thing.
So, let's ask - why do setbacks happen? Is it because we tried to do something? Why did we try to do something? Is it because we want to achieve something? And what is that something that we need to achieve - a dream? A future? A purpose?
If a life's purpose has not yet crystallize, setbacks happen to take out the fog in our eyes and in our hearts so that we can see and hear our life's purpose.
If life's purpose is known, setbacks happen to show us what is necessary to achieve the realization of our life's purpose.
Like you, I am also in midst of this. Though you are now about making the cut. I am now about being a good husband to my beautiful wife. Fear still kicks in. But I have learned how to slow things down and see. I guess we will never get rid of fear. I guess it will come in handy if in case a lion is raging towards me or cobra is about to strike. And fear pushes me to preserve my life by running away or fight :)
Kidding aside, the truth written below made all the difference in my life and I keep it in my heart, always:
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
"... why think like mere men?"
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