hi faith. bye fear.

Beat of the Moment: Faithful, VaShawn Mitchell 

Here's one of my darkest secrets, lean in, let me share, ready? Here goes: there are times when I have minimal faith in myself and I fear much of what is going to happen in the future. GASP! Whether you believe in God, or something else, or nothing at all, one person you should have complete faith in is yourself! I have a million and one projects jotted down in a journal, but I NEVER act on them or bring them to life. This has become a running joke in my family. I always share (with excitement) my ideas with my sisters, but it has reached the point where their typical response is something like, "oh that's great, but when are you going to actually do IT?" I get really excited about my projects, plan them out on paper, assign cute and catchy names, sometimes research online or call a few people, but the follow-through stops there. 

What's stopping me from starting? Sometimes I just forget about the idea. Sometimes I figure I wouldn't have enough time or money to commit to it. And sometimes (ok, most times), I'm just freaking scared! I fear that it could fail. I fear that people would laugh. I fear that I might sound crazy when proposing innovative things. I fear that people won't relate. And here's one: I fear that it could actually succeed. I am not afraid to admit that I am afraid. But WHY am I so afraid? There are so many scriptures devoted to this idea of fear and failing. I know that God has not given [me] a spirit of fear. I know that He is my light and my salvation, and I should not fear anything. I also know that He is with me always. But somehow, even with all of that Biblical comfort, my faith manages to shrink in the face of fear.  

Well, I think I have reached the point where I feel that I have nothing to lose (maybe a little time and probably some money), but I think I am willing to sacrifice those things to follow some dreams. What better time than now to get started? Brand new month. Approaching a new season. I am ready to go boldly in the direction of my dreams. This month, I'm going to hold myself accountable by posting pictures to my "hi faith, bye fear" Facebook album for the entire month of August. The pictures will consist of symbols and objects to represent personal progression. I am a person who needs to see concrete evidence of achievement (lol). My goal is to take at least one step in the direction of my dreams each day. Whether this movement includes small steps, medium steps, big steps, doesn't matter!  

What ideas are you sitting on? What goal are you trying to achieve? Write the vision and make it plain! I've written enough visions. I truly have. I am ready for execution. By the way, none of my "ideas" are for any sort of personal gain. They are all things that would help or benefit others. Even more reason to get rolling, right??? I am ready. Hi faith. Bye fear. 

"...and when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it..." The Alchemist