Life keeps tumbling on no matter our motivations. Our motivations behind every action good or bad, life keeps going. What is driving our motivations behind our actions? Is it fear? Is it love? Another question worth sitting with is why is that important. Why should we as humans be aware of our motivations behind our actions? You may be aware of the saying "you shall know them by their fruits". Do our actions really define us individually? Our character? I think yes! Actions speak louder than words… Right? That gets us to the root. Are we being led by fear or love?
I really want you to sit with this for a second. What does this mean to you? Reflect on how you are living your life right now. Are your daily actions rooted in fear or love?
I've asked a lot of questions. Here is another— do you have a movie that really impacted your life? You go about normal life but for some reason this movie pops up throughout your day? When you watched this movie it planted a seed and ever since then it has grown into apart of your personality. For me this movie is Tick Tick Boom (2021). I think about this movie and the questions it asked. One of which happens to be "are you being led by fear or love?".
You shall know them by their fruits
Judgement on others does not help anyone in the 21st century. I like that this has become a taboo. In our inner communities the people we surround ourself with; we should not feel judgement from them. We should be able to be the most authentic self and not feel outer judgement. However, I think you can have a healthy relationship with turning judgement to your inner self. That has a bad connotation so I am going to change judgement to reflection and feedback. Learning and loving and being self-aware!
With this internal battle of reflection what are the fruits you are producing in your life right now? Do these fruits reflect a good image on your character? The most important introspective thought— Are they the most authentic to who you really are? I guess before diving deeper into this argument of being led by fear or by love— you really need to know who you are when the lights are off and when no one is around.
What if you are producing fruits that are inauthentic to yourself? I believe this leads to danger down the road. You will feel it deep in your soul eventually. The feeling of not being your true self around anyone doesn't give you a liberating feeling. People take from your cup instead of filling you up. It leads to downward self talk. Not being proud of the fruits you are producing can be damaging to ones self image. It is a distinct unique feeling to be proud of something you created or achieved. I YEARN for that feeling because it is quite indescribable. However— I can describe the feeling of something you are not proud of; regret, guilt, agony and defeat.
"What a waste it would be to live your whole life without putting your most authentic self out there"
I recently moved to Nashville, this is the first time in my life I am really living all by myself. I have had a lot of self reflection and self discovery. Before my move I could not describe my true authentic self. There is so much noise in the world, I did not have time to reflect on this. Now I know truly who I am— I have learned accountability, humility, and the one I am most proud of is authenticity.
There is something carnal in everyone of us. I believe we all deep down can sense authenticity in others. I think this sensor is a blessing and a curse. A blessing where you know it when you find it in others. I cannot stress this enough. What a special gift to see the people around you be their most authentic self. Truth is power. Truth is something special and you cannot deny truth. Seeing the truth in others is just the same. This can also be a curse because with this sensor it is easy to judge others— mentioned earlier this is a taboo that I am glad is now in our society. When that sensor goes off we have a choice to give in to that temptation of judgement or see the good in others, the benefit of the doubt and taking things with a grain of salt.
I urge you to find the authenticity in yourself. Align your actions with your vision. Who you want to become or who you are becoming. "I am" statements are a significant way to re-aligning to your authentic self. Individually is as powerful with yourself or if you share them with others.
Put your real authentic self out there. We all have a unique strand of DNA that makes us individual and unique. There is no one else like YOU on this Earth. What a way to feel important. This feeling of importance can be a driving factor to share the authentic real version of you to others. You will find your community and your people and they will be blessed to have known you. You will be seen, and they will see you as who you really are. The greenlight sensor will go off, then the universe rewards you and gives back what you gave 10 fold. The universe works in amazing mysterious ways.
"Cages or wings? Ask the birds"
Why do we build our own cages by our own design? Comfort can be really comfortable when you don't notice a cage surrounding you and your vision. This cage can look like many many things. The first that comes to mind is the simple question How? Society traps us in this bubble of logistics. How am I going to succeed? How am I going to be financially stable in this economy. How do I find a partner? How do I live life to the fullest? Turning most questions of How into Why not? If life isn't about failing and learning then what is it about? Why would we be placed on this earth if it wasn't to learn and to grow? To gain knowledge of the world by our own experience. That is important and all of that stops when we build the cage of How's surrounding our biggest hopes and our dreams.
Why is the first human instinct to limit our own abilities? I am a firm believer in delusional-optimism. This is a trait that can fuel our dreams and take the identity of using our wings instead of grounding ourselves from our own potential of flying and soaring high. We are capable of anything we put our minds to. If we are individually authentic to our vision— the rest follows. When you reflect on life… Maybe take a mental check in, give yourself feedback and become more self-aware— you come to realize that what you're doing is being led by who you want to become. And the universe has this way of toppling everything into order like Tetris blocks.
It falls into place better than our little human minds can imagine or plan on. Believing in our vision and our potential is the propelling force that keeps us from society. Society has a way of holding us down. This can come in many different mediums but one I can think about is chasing dreams. Why is that an unrealistic and almost a delusional thought? Our first reaction is tied down by societal norms and logistics! I think there is a balance for sure. All things in moderation. But like mentioned before. If we are putting our true authentic self out there into the universe then the details and pieces unravel right in front of our eyes.
Do you want to be in a cage? Or be free and SOAR? Well lets just ask the local bird that wake you up in the morning singing their beautiful songs. I would like to think they like to fly around in nature and not be stuck in a cage as a class pet.
What does it look like?
Why is there a bad connotation to be led by fear? I mentioned being authentic is really important but what if on your reflection you admit that you are being led by fear? I believe there is a correct time and a place to be led by fear. The place that follows will eventually get unpleasant. Sometimes we need to be in that place to grow.
We all know life is a rollercoaster, it ebbs and flows with ups and downs. What do you say to a kid that is scared to go on a rollercoaster? Well when a Father tells their scared to death kid to hop on a rollercoaster, it is a little unfair. The Father's life experience dominates the kid. The kid is new to life and may not fully know or realize that one can go up from a low drop. The difference between this scenario and life is that if you are reading this I am sure you know that you can go up from a drop. We all have the life experience to endure and to keep pursuing when things get hard.
If you are being led by fear and building that cage for yourself think of the rollercoaster. You are old enough to know the fear and the ups and downs. But, is that little blip of uncomfortable life going to stop us from potentially going to the highest point of your potential? Survival mode is temporary. But the growth and lessons learned are forever and you will be changed for the better! Any experience good or bad adds to the tool kit of life experience!
Being led by love is respect for your inner most authentic self. It is putting action to the thoughts and beliefs one may think on the daily. Your self-respect grows strongest when you lead your steps in love— toward yourself and the potential of what you can become. Sacrificing survival mode for the greater good; whether that is lessons you learn along the way or actual success of what you are wishing to become.
Awareness and reflections
It's natural to lead your actions with love and let fear and pain follow behind. That is human. When one is aware and confident being led by love, I believe self-confidence follows. Faith follows. Faith and self respect that you made the correct decision, because you know it was out of love for yourself and your future. It doesn't matter the perception other people think. It doesn't matter what the social pecking order believes. If you know you are authentic to your true self, trust me when I say that it will naturally manifest to others. People will notice, and feel it. The green light will go off in others and they will recognize your authenticity you put out.
Actions speak louder than words. Intentionality also speaks louder than words. What is our time being dedicated to? Is it working on a craft that help us feel creative and authentic? Is it self discovery? Do we have Intentional awareness to acknowledge the fruits of our labors?
I believe you can know someone from their fruits.
Are we planting good seeds in your garden? Are we watering these good or bad seeds? What will we see in time? Good fruits or sour fruits? Time will tell, but the intentions behind the planting give us a glimpse of the future, self confidence, and most importantly self respect.
Louder Than Words (from "tick, tick… BOOM!" Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)
Why do we leave our hand on the stove
Although we know, we're in for some pain?
Why does it take an accident
Before the truth gets through to us?
Fear or love, baby
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words
Why should we try to be our best
When we can just get by and still gain?
Why do we stay with lovers
Who we know, down deep
Just aren't right?
Put ourselves through hell
Than sleep alone at night?