Fearless?

I often get accused of being fearless.  I'm constantly trying to do things that push me beyond my comfort zone.  It's not uncommon for me to do something alone simply because I don't know anyone else who wants to do it. I've actually met some of my favorite people this way.  But I need to make something abundantly clear.

It's not that I'm fearless.  I'm actually terrified.  I'm a complete scaredy-cat.

I just do it anyway.

I refuse to be a victim of my fear.  As a matter of fact, if something REALLY scares me, I often push myself to do it more.  I would hate to get to the end of my life, having run from opportunity and experience, simply because of a little fear. 

And as a result, I've traveled to Africa (and been named by a Zambian Cheif), skydived, am a triathlete, half-marathoner, and Tough Mudder, hand-fed crazy, wild, ravenous Parrot fish in Hawaii, climbed mountains, walked through a rainforest to a volcano, explored the Pyramids, was mugged by a baboon, was gifted a ring by a sweet little girl in a Honduran village, felt the exhilaration of jumping off a cliff, and so much more.  I even opened a Wellness Center.  The amazing thing about all of this, is the paths that crossed along the way.  I think of all the people I have met from feeling the fear and doing it anyway, and the gifts they bring.  I think of all the lives that changed as a result of those meetings... how much MY life changed as a result of those meetings...

Once again, I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Charlie "Tremendous" Jones:  "You are the same  today as you will be five years from now except for two things: the books you read and the people you meet."

Fear can do two things. It can keep you alive, or it can keep you from truly LIVING. When we refuse

to step outside our comfort zone, we can never truly grow.  Just like the eagle needs to step out of the nest to fly, we need to leave our comfort zone to truly live.  I often think of how to boil a frog when I get too comfortable. If you threw him in a pot of boiling water, he'd just jump out.  But when you slowly turn the heat up, he just dozes off until he's cooked.

Are you in your comfort zone?  Or are you learning how to fly?

The Positivity Playlist: Week 5

The Positivity Playlist: Week 4

The Positivity Playlist: Week 3

The Positivity Playlist: Week 2

If I could make this song my alarm clock, I would. :.)

Need some encouragement?

For a bit on inspiration, click here and listen.

Enjoy!

Love, health, and happiness,

Dr. Redmond

Are you going to be the one who raises others up? Or tears them down?

A number of years ago, I went with friend to see the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.  I had seen it numerous times before and it was always a magnificent show.  We got a great deal on tickets since they were giving away orchestra seats for opening day prices in celebration of the show's anniversary.  We were front row center, just a few rows back from the stage.

I don't know a nice way to put this, so I'm just going to say it: It was awful.  The actors were singing off-key and seemed not to know their cues or lines...  I couldn't believe these were supposed to be professionals!!  I've never been more disappointed in a Broadway performance.  I felt like *I* could do a better job.

But then... the magic happened...

The man who played the Phantom came out on the stage.  And he was good.  No; he was more than good... he was amazing.  He was so good, in fact, that just his presence on the stage elevated everyone else's performance. It fascinated me as I sat there, reflecting how one person's performance could have such a dramatic effect on the entire show;  one person's behavior could change the whole dynamic.

We have a choice to make when going about our daily existence.  We can choose to "be the light in the darkness," as a wise preacher once told me, or we can add to that darkness.  How do you choose to show up?  Are you doing your best to elevate those around you by your performance, allowing us to all be in a better position to thrive?  Are you going to be the "light in the darkness?"  Or are you going to contribute to the chaos and darkness that exists in this world?  As with everything, the choice is yours.  What impact do YOU choose to have on the world?