Something scary happened to me while I was visiting LA last month.
I was on the Metro bus headed to my conference,when the man across the aisle began to speak:
You think you’re tough? You better not mess with me. I’m your worst nightmare.
I’m the devil. Don’t talk to me. Don’t even look at me. Don’t even think about touching me.
I will DESTROY you…
I froze. Was he talking to me?
I kept my eyes down to avoid attracing his attention. He had gray hair, a scruffy beard, and was looking straight ahead, like he wasn’t talking to anyone in particular.
Still, his words made my hair stand on end.
I wondered, should I get off the bus? What if he turned violent? He sure sounded violent…
Then I took a breath and remembered. He’s a person.
As my mind quieted, I made an intention to connect with everything: the bus, the people, even the strange man sitting across from me.
I settled.
His threatening words kept coming, but they didn’t sound so hateful. In fact, it sounded like a recording, something he’d said a thousand times as a mantra of protection.
I saw clearly that this guy wasn’t raging. He was afraid, doing what he knew to keep himself safe.
I kept breathing. Something in me knew I wasn’t in danger.
A few minutes later, he quieted. Then he got off at the next stop.
It was amazing to me that the feeling inside me changed completely from fear to compassion, in a matter of seconds.
It reminded me that feeling fear does not mean I’m in danger.
If I had listened to that fear, I would have jumped off the bus. Or sat there paralyzed, waiting for the worst.
But instead, I listened to something deeper.
There was nothing I needed to do to make myself safe. Life showed me what to do.
When fear strikes, it can feel like imminent death.
But fear is a thought.
We don’t have to believe it. We don’t have to obey it.
There’s something deeper that keeps us safe.
So let me ask…
What is it that scares you right now?
I’d love to invite you to a Being Unstoppable conversation, where you can hear the true message of fear and even discover it as a friend.
You’ll leave with peace of mind, clarity and a fresh perspective on whatever troubles you.
In honor of the Summer of Fearlessness, I’m offering these conversations available at 50% off for the first five people to respond. Just contact me to reserve your spot.
Yours in love and play,
Steph
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