the man who washes lions

"the key to change...

is to let go of fear."

- rosanne cash

being stuck is a painful place to be. at least it is for me. i look around at all the things that normally inspire and motivate me. i reach. but still i sit immobile in my seat.  but what is it that glues me so tightly in place? i contemplate. i ruminate. i examine. i ignore. i disguise. no matter what i do, it's the same little bugger that it was when i first began.

fear.

fear is a lot like that lion in the bathtub. my job is to wash the lion. but i have to be present and aware enough not to get eaten in the process. in looking at that fear, i have to accept the danger that comes along with the job. it’s easy to become sidetracked by analyzing it.  holding onto it.  absorbing it into my personality.  taking it out and showing it to others like it was something of great value.  but any of these options is like letting the lion eat me.

chomp!

the thing i have to remind myself to do is to simply look at it. go ahead and accept the feelings of fear.  but not cling to them like some useless life raft. if i can just be careful and mindful in washing the lion. just get on with it. then, whether my fear comes at me head on in broad daylight or creeps up on me sideways, i’ll be able to avoid getting lost in my own sad story and even, perhaps, let in some joy to lend balance and encourage hope.

move. else stagnate. get back to washing those lions...

“life is like riding a bicycle. 

to keep your balance you must keep moving.”

 - albert einstein 

namaste'