“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” – Joseph Campbell
That which we most fear, that which scares us greatly also tells us much about ourselves. Of all the things to dread in the world, why does that particular fear top our personal list? What about it triggers us? How has it shaped our lives? How have we dealt with it? Has it motivated us to become strong in other ways? i.e. have we developed a relatively positive coping mechanism? Or have we avoided dealing with it in ways that have left us weaker?
I experienced a period of poverty in my childhood which left me with a distinct aversion (nice word for fear) to having my water and power turned off and living in darkness. As a result, I pursued a career in business and the creation of value which has been most rewarding. I’ve other fears which have lead me to be more insular and I’m sure that I’ve missed some wonderful opportunities as a result.
Self-awareness, introspection, and feedback are key to examining/knowing/dealing with your ‘Cave Issues’. This blog was triggered by a conversation with a small group of friends that I’ve met with regularly for almost two decades; I’ve found their insights extremely helpful over the years; the Nathan they see is not always the one I see!
Closing Quotes:
“The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free.” – Oprah Winfrey
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013
“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.” – Dale Carnegie, 1888-1955, How to Win Friends and Influence People
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier