Despite our deep desire to create, we are often stilted, held-back, stuck. More times than not, terror is what holds us back. We can’t create – in form, relationship, or life – when silenced by fear. What if it’s a mere, miraculous, listened-to whisper that breaks us free?
Quite often, our fears are the perfect counterpart to our whispers. Our whispers say, “Go for it. You are enough.” But our fears fire back with, “You’re not strong enough,” or “You’ll never be as talented as so-and-so.”
(Kelly Rae Roberts, Taking Flight: Inspiration & Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings)
Fears are dry, arid, and desolate desert places. Sadly, we know them all too well.
But whispers come out of the desert, as well. Places of nourishment, warmth, and respite. Places that offer space, breathing room, and ah, the respite of silence to actually hear our heart.
I want that desert. I want to hear the whispers. I want to turn up their volume so that my whole being reverberates with their truth. I want to ROAR them, live them, let them live.
And I’m not the only one. I just know it.
Watch this video of Kelly Corrigan: I Dare You (by way of Lindsay at A Design So Vast). Desert fears. Desert whispers. A deafening roar. Wild beauty.
For further reflection:
- What are your fears?
- What are those whispers?
- If you could ROAR anything you wanted – in words, behavior, emotion – what would it be?
- And circle back…what are the fears that keep you from doing such?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Last night, the fears that came in words of dire warning from a well-meaning “friend” as my family and I make a move that lines up with our dreams had me curled in the fetal position weeping in my husband’s lap. Fear is real, raw, and does scream and tell me I am not strong enough. And it seems to show up the strongest at our moments of breakthrough and risk. Thank you for the reminder to listen to the whispers instead of the real, raw shouts of fear…I had to feel it, face it, but now I know, it’s not the end of the story.
.-= jewellspring´s last blog ..jewellspring: Read The Liars’ Club by Mary Karr http://bit.ly/c7g8u3 =-.
Jen, your words make me want to scream! SO disappointing to be in places of hope and risk and then hear the “safe” voices that cause us to doubt our own whispers – and our own roars! I’m grateful that you were able to let the whispers continue to speak. The roar of fear doesn’t go away, but the whispers are, in truth, louder and truer. No…not the end of the story – not by any stretch.
I love this. It is one thing to intellectually realize that the fears that hold us back are just that … thoughts. But to be able to release their emotional hold on us is – at least for me – another thing entirely.
.-= Lindsey´s last blog ..I am grateful, sad, scared, and in the middle of my life. =-.
I’ve spent so much time unable to hear the whispers; the fears have drowned out all else. These days, even though I still hear the roar of my fears, the whispers are gaining in volume and clarity. I’m grateful…and I still struggle. You’re right, Lindsey: theory is one thing; praxis is another.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this video. I am forwarding to my business partners. While we have a small community of people supporting our desire to grow into our big dreams, we know we are going to face a lot of nay-sayers as well. I am contemplating a blog post titled, “Who do I think I am?”
My biggest fear…not being seen or heard, even when I roar. But I am choosing the whispers that tell me to say and write what I think and feel because it matters.
.-= April´s last blog ..Freedom of Speech and Healthy Communication =-.
Absolutely, April! And no worries: – roaring whispers are always heard by the right people. You’ll be seen by the right people. Those who love your big dreams! Keep at it! Can’t wait to see what you create!
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