“What If?”

This question has mentally and physically imprisoned me for many years. “What if something happens?” “What if I don’t make it?” “What if it doesn’t work out?” Always the question of “what if?” revolving around my mind. It wasn’t until I spoke with a group of ladies from Bible study that I realized why I asked that nagging question. It derived from the “fear of the unknown”. I used that question as a shield to protect me from what I thought would be a wrong choice or mistake had I jumped onboard and followed the path to uncertainty. It was a way to keep me right where I wanted to be: comfortable, content, unscathed, and free from failure. It was an easy way out for me, but what I didn’t realize is that I was blocking myself from: personal growth and development, better opportunities, more flexibility, financial freedom, and overall security for my family and I.

I have never been much of a risk taker when it came to my own personal development. Throughout the years, I’ve had people tell me how great of a “this or that” I am or that I should be doing all of these awesome things, but why didn’t I see that for myself? I remember one of the ladies telling me that I needed to turn off that negative thinking and start focusing on the positive. If I keep saying, “what if?” and allowing that to control my life, I’m never going to know “what if not?”. Imagine how many opportunities I passed up just because I was too afraid to step out and take a chance. I had other people betting on me, but I couldn’t even take a chance on myself! If I wasn’t qualified for those opportunities they would have never came knocking on my door, but I was too blinded by the “what if’s” that I allowed them to pass on by. How many of you have just been getting by in life? How long have you been playing it safe? What’s holding you back from taking advantage of new opportunities? I know that it can be scary to step out of your comfort zone and really push yourself toward new opportunities, but trust me, you will thank yourself later! I received a promotion last year by stepping out of my bubble of contentment and applying for a better job opportunity! My finances increased and it helped boost my confidence! It made me want more because I actually took a chance and allowed myself to see the possibilities of how much more I can achieve. In the words of Les Brown, “Sometimes I believe it is best to take the child’s approach to life, which assumes no limitation at all. Children set out to do things without knowing that they are not supposed to be able to do them.”