"Where the fruit is" post text

Because I like to keep my writing to reflect and want to be more diligent with keeping them in one location (I originally had it hyperlinked to the site but Jen has since revamped her site and I can't find the link), I am posting the text of the message I wrote and referenced in Where the fruit (the good stuff) is post.  So not really a new post for those who get notifications *sorry* but maybe you will enjoy reading it again :-).

Where the fruit is…  The title comes from a quote I recently added to my physical and mental motivation wall. 

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.  That’s where the fruit is” ~ H. Jackson Browne. 

I love quotes/scriptures/words of wisdom as they serve as a motivation for me.  In my office, I have sticky notes and papers posted in various places with messages that serve as inspiration for me.  Once memorized, they become a part of my mental motivation wall.  These messages keep perception clear as I often let my fears get the best of me.  Fear of what…fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of being a disappointment (to whom?  I have no idea) etc.  What I found out is that fear itself is not a negative emotion; it is what we do with that fear or how we allow that fear to motivate us that creates the negativity.

When I started my blog in November, I literally just typed.  I had “planned” to do a lot more research and informational interviews prior to starting it to ensure that I had everything in order.  I realized that my fear was motivation for my needing to have things in “order” prior to starting my blog.  Those fears I listed above and others.  I was using my wanting things in order (my fears in disguise) as a crutch for moving forward.  So on November 22, I just decided that I would begin.  I would still conduct research, review and follow blogs that I really loved and glean tips from them.  I would still consult with others who have written blogs and gather thoughts about how to move forward.  However, it was important for me to allow my fear to motivate me to action as opposed to stagnation.

“You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there” ~ Edwin Louis Cole

Fear is as natural as breathing; however we must change our mind about fear.  Overcoming fear is simply using it as a motivator and not as an oppressor.  No matter what your faith/spiritual tradition, each one has a concept about how our thoughts become our perception and our perception then becomes our reality.  One of my favorite messages is “all that we are is the result of what we have thought.  The mind is everything.  What we think we become”(Buddha). What we think we become!  It is really in how we “think about” our fears.  It is extremely scary to go out on a “limb” whatever that limb is, however if our mind is set on the fruit as opposed to the fear we have overcome so much already…why not go all the way?

You may not be a quote/message collector like me, however if you pay attention to the Universe and people around you, motivational messages can come from the unlikeliest of places.  While I was driving to work this morning, my five year old was musing about the rainy weather.  Out of the blue she focuses her attention to me and says “although the weather looks scary, I’m not afraid, you know why?  Because I know that this scary part will make puddles and when there are puddles I can wear my fairy rain boots and play and dance in them and not get my pants wet.  I can’t wait!”  This scary part will become puddles, which will allow her to wear her favorite boots and dance in the water.  Fear overcome, make way for puddles of fun!

Thanks Universe!  I will definitely be adding that to my motivational wall.  To overcome your fears, change your perception, your thinking, your mind and go where the fruit is!  I will meet you there!