What have you got to lose?
More importantly, what could you possible gain?
Lets take a step back and think about all the things that trigger fear in us. For some, its heights, trying tofu, being around big dogs, or riding a bicycle.
For a while, if you can believe it or not, there was a time in my life when the thought of getting back on a bicycle made me well up with fear and anxiety. It has been 5 years since I was was in a pretty serious bike accident, one that took me outta commission for at least 4 weeks of physical activity and that took a toll on me emotionally/mentally for a long time after that bruises faded away.
Luckily, since the bike accident, I've had a lot of excuses as to why getting back on a bike wasn't possible. After all, I lived on a small island for the past two years in southeast Asia, was always traveling and besides, running has always been my "go to" workout fix.
Since landing in Brooklyn last week, I've come to realize the joys of hopping on a bicycle and exploring the neighborhood again. The streets are quiet (minus the occasional gospel outbreak which I thoroughly enjoy) and there are a ton of parks where Kathy and I can cruise until sundown.
What does all this fear talk have to do with this blog which is mainly geared towards health/wellness/nutrition? Well, if you take a look at what fear does to us on the emotional level and how much it stimulates our stress hormone (cortisol) its pretty evident that if you want optimal health, you have to address your fears. No amount of leafy greens is going to balance out someone who is constantly living in fear, whose cortisol levels are through the roof and who more importantly, isn't experiencing the joys of looking fear in the face and taking the high road.
For me, conquering my fears has been more than getting back on a bicycle. Two years ago, it was getting on that plane and flying 8,000 miles away to Hong Kong and soon after, it was spending 10 days in silence at a Taiwanese monastery, both acts by the way reduced me to tears and frequent calls home looking for security. Tears are okay, in fact, they are a great sign you are onto something great- just keep pushing on! Just recently, it was leaving everything that was "secure" in the teaching world with insurance/retirement/consistent paychecks and taking the leap of faith to turn over a new leaf and pursue what I believe I was put on this earth to do: to inspire and help others heal.
If you are on my newsletter, you have been reading there are big changes for me coming up. The date is set, my new company/brand, will be launching on October 1st.
I am beyond scared.
Who wouldn't be?
I am doing things that are completely new to me and out of my comfort zone. Just this week, I'll be getting over my own ego and jumping in front of the camera to create more video content for my website and that alone, is terrifying on so many levels.
So, this week, I'll be getting out of my own way, conquering my fears of getting in front of the camera and letting my light shine so that you can have more resources, recipes and knowledge on how to achieve your ideal health/weight/happiness...which by the way, IS YOUR BIRTHRIGHT. We aren't meant to crawl to the finish line people, we can arrive with the same amount of optimism, happiness and sense of adventure as we carried when we first started this thing.
What is your fear? What will you conquer this week?
Mark your calendar: October 1st. Culinary Farmacy, your hub for food and healing (and more!) goes LIVE!
~ Elisa
2 comments:
Wow...you have inspired me! I never made the connection that my stress was raising my cortisol level (even though I knew it). My current fear is flunking out of graduate school (even though I'm not flunking). This week, I will conquer it. Thanks!!
Diane,
I am so glad you found some inspiration from this blog. You will flourish in graduate school and you know it! Put your attention on all that you DO want and see it manifest.
All the best, and please follow Culinary Farmacy as the launch date approaches! October 1st!!
Sincerely,
Elisa
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