Be Fearless In The Pursuit of What Sets Your Soul On Fire
I love this quote.
It reminds me of the many choices I’ve had to make and the diverse paths I’ve walked over the years because of them. Some of those choices would lead me on grand adventures full of excitement and fun, and others on lesson quests, providing time to learn a reflect. Each path was born out of a curiosity to learn more – about myself, the world around me and life.
Have you ever considered it’s possible to walk on two paths at the same time? In my case, one way always seems to be providing new, exciting information and the other a lesson not quite learned. They run parallel until one (usually the lesson path) starts to veer away.
It happens slowly or sometimes very abruptly, but it always makes the stretch for my feet to be on both impossible, forcing me to change. The choice, continue, struggling to walk or learn the damn lesson already and move on.
Two Sides Of The Same Coin
It seems my path has two sides in other ways too.
Fear
Feeling like the Cowardly Lion, approaching the Great & Powerful Oz, shaking with fear but moving forward because I know my quest is more important than my dread.
Being Fearless
These two words are both confusing and straightforward at the same time. To be fearless means we know how to overcome our fears. But, how often are we taking the steps needed to be courageous?
In my life, I use a few ideas to turn fear around. First, I look within to identify the root of my anxiety. What was the early frustration that has me feeling the stress now?
The Center Line
Doing this work is freeing! In one big breakthrough, I was able to identify a massive fear of rejection. As I would discover, it began in second grade. We were asked to get into small groups on the floor and, to get comfortable, could take off our shoes. Never liking to wear shoes, I was the first to peel mine off and toss them aside. Shortly, two boys in the group started to laugh hysterically, pointing and telling everyone about my stinky feet.
Unable to process at age eight, this interaction spun into a fear of being my unique self and took me on one of the longest self-discovery paths of my life. I started a lifelong pattern of blending in and would spend the next 20 years living in life’s background (always with shoes on my feet).
After going within, fill up with images of how we want our life to look. I create vision boards, or picture boards, placing them where they can be viewed often. It’s so important to show our brains what we want. The first vision board I made six years ago was filled with images of travel, photography, yoga and being of service. Everything and more from that first board has come to fruition. Each January, I create another board, adding elements to act on in the new year. Now, because I live in a van and have very little space, I make them on the computer, copying and pasting onto a page that I can save and print.
Lastly, I know life goes on even if I fail (or get laughed at). The important thing is, if it makes my heart happy, then it’s essential to keep trying.
In the Pursuit
Pursuit is the energy necessary to follow our hopes and desires. After naming the fear, banish the doubt and just do it!
Declare the dream and give it a go! Until then, it’s just a consideration. Whether you take a small first step and create a vision board or take a massive leap of faith into something bigger like a new relationship or starting a business, push up your sleeves and just do it.
The Magic In Life
We make our most significant contribution to society when we are doing what we love. It’s not selfish; it’s what we came to earth to do.
I found my passion, and I am grateful for that. Although I still struggle to take action (my fear of rejection is a deep neuronal groove), I am thankful for the knowledge that my work is fueled by what I love most and makes taking those leaps of faith easier.
BREATHE. LISTEN. ACT.
The question I’ll leave you with is:
What will you do today to set your soul on fire?
Share this post
I am an influencer of optimism, positivity & love. My mantra, “Be where my feet are,” nothing more, nothing less. To me, it means living in the moment with curiosity, creativity, courage & compassion. You’ll find resources and stories primarily about subjects like travel, van living, exploring, yoga, and photography on these pages. By acting on my dreams and sharing my experiences, I hope you’ll be inspired to say YES, and live your happiest, best life. |
Follow along! Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to illustrate well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van.
She offers weekly inspiration and a monthly roundup filled with stories and tips on travel, exploring, van living, self-care, photography and being human.