TEAR DOWN THE WALLS

I make it a point to pay attention to subliminal signs and what they could mean.

For the last week, I kept seeing and hearing things about tearing down walls. This resonated deep within me.

It got me thinking about the word wall.

When I hear the phrase, It’s Like Talking to a Brick Wall, my immediate reaction is someone doesn’t listen and is closed off.

Another is, His back is against the wall. My response is someone is out of options.

How about, He’s walled off. Nothing’s getting through to that person.

I believe it’s human nature to put up walls in our lives. For me it begs the question, what purpose do they serve?

THE WALLS WE BUILD

Spending 22 years in corporate America, I felt it was important for me to self-protect.

I

I built a wall around myself.

It seemed like a good idea; but NOT!

I worked in the beauty industry which was referred to as “dynamic”. Translation – fast paced, competitive, long hours and demanding.

I do confess that there was an adrenaline rush coming up with new ideas and seeing products succeed in the marketplace; and I did get to work with some amazing people.

Yet, I didn’t realize my personality was not well-suited to the corporate environment. I wasn’t good at playing corporate politics; and I grew up in the generation of never let them see you sweat.

My wall caused me to be distrustful of people and their intentions.

Without realizing it, I confined myself.

I wasn’t happy. I felt isolated. I even took that distrust into my personal relationships. NOT GOOD!

THE WALL OF FEAR

Fear is crippling!

It can cause us to question everything and prevent us from venturing out and going after our dreams.

What if I fail? What if I look foolish? What if I make a mistake? What if? What if? What if?...

We can what if ourselves right out of our destinies.

Again, I confess I did let fear take center stage in my life.

As a kid, I was afraid of people. I was very shy and an introvert. That gripped me; and it has been quite the battle to overcome.

I was afraid of failure. Growing up in an extended family of Type A personalities with an intense work ethic and then being laid off from work more than once, I felt like such a failure.

I needed to recognize the true meaning of fear.

That was the first step in tearing down that wall.

TEAR DOWN THE WALLS

It’s not easy to tear down walls that have taken a lifetime to build up.

I’ve made a great deal of progress in tearing down the wall of self-protection. I needed to realize that keeping people out was not the answer. I needed to exchange distrust for wisdom.

With that wisdom, I can accept that no one is perfect.

Will I get hurt? Yes!

Will I be disappointed? Yes!

Will I choose to forgive? Yes!

Will I let go and move on? Yes!

Most importantly, will I take to heart…

YES!

As for tearing down the wall of fear, that has been a challenge. I’ve needed to come to the place where going after my dreams is more important than being afraid to try.

Fear is an emotion that exists. I don’t deny that.

I’m grateful to Joyce Meyer and her teaching on how to deal with fear that appears real.

You Have What It Takes to Do It Afraid

- by Joyce Meyer

Choosing to do it afraid has enabled me to live my dream and make it a reality.

Because I’ve taken seriously the need to tear down the walls that were holding me back, I was able to experience a moment the other day that brought me to tears of joy.

I received a call from a fellow actor who watched me do a scene I prepared for class from the film, Osage Orange County.

I needed to stretch myself to take on the character of Violet. She was dealing with mouth cancer and going through chemo and radiation. She was so medicated she couldn’t function properly. She was physically and emotionally abused by her mother; and lastly was verbally abusive to her family.

I was surprised to receive the phone call; but she just had to tell me how much she enjoyed watching my scene and how I inspired her.

I was speechless, which is rare.

She then proceeded to tell me that she doesn’t think she could go full throttle the way I did. I asked her, “Why not?”

She said, “I’m afraid.”

I asked, “Afraid of what?”

Her response, “What if? What if? What if?”

I simply said, “Don’t hold back. Do it afraid.”

I firmly believe…