Daily Gratitude: I can tell from my personal experience that this is true. I’m still not the bravest cookie in the jar but I’m a lot better than i ever have been.

I was afraid. Of everything. And everyone.

But once i discovered IFS, I discovered many of the whys and was able to heal part of me that had hidden away from the world. There’s still much work to be done and so much to explore. But my world has definitely expanded.

I’m able to approach things without such fear- fear I’d fail; fear people would laugh; fear I’d be rejected and on and on. Now I can do things and not worry (as much) about those intangible thoughts that crowd a child’s mind (the general age of my protectors is from 1-5 years old). And If I start to feel some fear, I know where it’s coming from and usually why. If not, I know how to find out.

Even if you don’t want to study IFS, I encourage you to think about the times you’ve said “a part of me….” Or “that was really out of character.” Or “I don’t know why I always do that. I don’t mean to and I don’t want to..it just happens”. These are times your parts are present and they want you to acknowledge them. That’s all. Can you just do that much?

Your world can expand like mine has.

Daily Gratitude: Read this again. And again. Now ask yourself when you have proven this to be true. I am positive that at some point in your life you were afraid of something, no matter how big or how small. Eventually, though, the wheels inside of you turned enough that you got the thought “hmm, maybe i can do that too (or something like it)” and boom, once the seed was planted, it began to germinate and before you knew it, you were out there doing it.

This has happened twice to me. Once that darn seed had to be nurtured for 30 years before it (and I) was strong enough to break through the ground. But it finally did. I had wanted to cross the US on foot for 30 years before I got the guts to try it. Oh yeah, I had all the excuses – I couldn’t get time off work was the biggest one. But you know what. As soon as that little bud made its way to peek above the ground, I was able to overcome even that excuse. What was real reason? I was afraid. I didn’t think someone like me had any business even contemplating it. But desire broke the fear and I got out of prison. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t complete my goal. What matters is that I had faith and tried to do it.

My experience with vol state was the same. I heard about it in 2012 and was totally fascinated. I read everything I could find about it. All those “thoughts” (aka excuses) were front and center. You can walk 314 miles; you’re not an elite runner so don’t even consider this; people will laugh at you. And on and on.

Once again it took time for that little tiny seed to grow enough courage for me to say “I’ve just got to do this.” Thank goodness it didn’t take 30 years like the other one though. As you know, it’s now become my main focus.

What is inside of you that’s scratching at its prison wall begging you to let it out? Pay attention to what it’s saying. Give it voice. If it’s a strong enough desire, let it out. And you will be freed – in more ways than you can imagine.

Daily Gratitude: I love this. It gives you permission to learn or try something new. You don’t have to be the expert at everything.

There’s an ad or an app (or maybe both) that I think is for an AI program and its theme is that you can spend 15 minutes a day using this AI program and it will bring you articles on things you want to learn and of course, if you do this, you will become an expert. Blah blah blah. It’s similar to all those learn another language systems.

The important point is that if you want to learn something new, you have to start somewhere. And when you start, no one, except maybe you, expects you to be a master. That title or position is earned, not just bestowed because you wanted it.

Listening to or studying something for 15 minutes a day might eventually lead to mastery but just acknowledge that it will take a long time and you have to go beyond the first step of just reading. If it’s something you really want, though, those 15 minutes a day will soon turn into hours. You are always a work in progress even if you are already a master at one. All masters continue to learn and practice.

Don’t be afraid to start and don’t be afraid to be a novice. We all are novices at some point in our lives. It’s ok.