In 1991 I attended an Anthony Robbins seminar during a time when personal development was very important to me. The highlight of the seminar was the fire walk. I was traveling to Florida from New York to attend and before I left, I told most everyone I knew that I was going to walk through fire.
Listening to Anthony Robbins speak was comfortable and motivating for me. He worked us into a frenzy before leading us into the night air to the beat of drums for our walk across hot coals. I was filled with confidence until I saw the fire and felt the heat. Everything was quite dramatic, especially against the dark of night. I stood in line but let others go ahead of me as I wrestled with the fear that gripped me. I considered going home without making good on my commitment, but that choice was unacceptable. I witnessed others cross over and saw their jubilation. Failure, I decided, was not an option.
No longer indecisive, I felt calm and strong as I told myself, “You can do this. It’s your moment of truth.” I took a step, then another and another, and before I knew I was on the other side feeling cool water being poured on top of my feet. “ELATION, sheer ECSTASY, light” I wrote in my journal, to capture my feelings that day.
I knew it wasn’t about walking on fire, real or imagined, literal or figurative. It was about having the courage to look, question, release, and move past fear-based beliefs that held me back. A strong desire intensifies the willingness to lean into fear, or move forward. Looking fear in the face, we find —as the Oz team did when seeing the Wizard for the first time—that there’s much ado about nothing. Nothing.
The pain is in the indecision. Mentally conflicted, the voice that yells the loudest captures our attention, drowning out the still, small voice representing another, kinder perspective. What we fail to recognize is that we’re in command but we’ve relinquished our authority to fear and its frantic, senseless ravings.
Fear is not overcome by avoiding or denying it, or by fighting and conquering it. On the contrary, this is what holds it in place and strengthens its grip. Fear is released and disappears of its own accord when we withdraw our belief. The power of our belief set it in motion and, gratefully, we can redirect our power and choose the light within our mind. Yes. There is always another way, an alternative to fear, and it’s ours for the asking.
I can overcome restrictions from past experience, and I can do things I never thought possible. Fear tells me otherwise. But there’s another voice in my mind, as there is in yours that speaks softly, with authority and love. How do you know which voice is the “right” one? Ask yourself how you feel. Anything less than peaceful means there’s work to be done.
With awareness and a little willingness, and by reclaiming your rightful place as commander-in-chief of your thinking, you can loosen the grip that fear has on your life. Not a little. A lot. Go ahead, take that step and learn that as you do you’re welcoming love to take its place. Which do you prefer?
Malvina Simon says
XXXOOO
Marguerite LaDue says
XXXOOO back at ya!
Jean M Hopeman says
I loved reading this important message, Dear soul and kindred spirit
Marguerite LaDue says
Jean I’m so happy you found it helpful…it helps me to write about it! Thanks for reading and for your continued support. Love that you are a kindred spirit traveling the path with me. Makes the journey that much more fun! xoxoxo
Ken Brown says
I too walked on fire at Westerbeke Ranch years ago. It was wonderful! Ken
Marguerite LaDue says
Thanks for sharing Ken. So you know how freeing it is. Our opportunity is learning to live this way every day in every situation.
Christine Benson says
Marguerite .Thanks for this timely message! I have been fearful lately . Fearful of being alone and now I am welcoming this personal and reflective time . Its true, what you say….I am replacing fear with self love. I attended the Tony Robbins event a few years ago and chickened out!! This was a reflection of my fear, not walking on fire , as its been these past few years that I have been living in fear. If I were to be at the Fire walk now , I would proudly walk on the coals~
Thank you, my dear sweet friend for always reminding us of our quest for personal growth and true happiness. Love you
Christine
Marguerite LaDue says
Christine I appreciate your honesty and willingness to look at what is holding you back. Makes me happy to know that you are learning that fear can be replaced with self love, by having the courage to look at your self talk and hidden beliefs and making another, kinder choice. This is the true fire walk and it seems you are doing it well. Keep going! Happiness is your birthright so claim it dear one. I love you. xoxoxo
Beverly Hamilton says
I met people via my book who talked about their challenges ie: everything from cancer to early–age 50–dementia. I said take the fear out of cancer/dementia. One called the next day saying she had danced with cancer. She flew through chemo and no more cancer. The other gal even wrote an article, “Dancing with Dementia” and has since expanded her experience from fear to love.
Marguerite LaDue says
Beverly thank you so much for sharing these very powerful examples. Yes for sure everything without exception – physical illness, relationships, work – all can be transformed by looking at our fear and questioning it. Simple, not easy – but it can be done!! And therein lies the hope. Love you Beverly, xoxoxo
laura zimmerman says
Wonderful writing friend… hope life is happy for you these days!
Fear is like worry isn’t it… such a lot of wasted mind time…
Marguerite LaDue says
Laura! How lovely to hear from you! You said it quite well – yes a LOT of wasted mind time. Hope you are well and happy too. My life continues to bring me much happiness – more than I could have possibly imagined (and wonderful surprises like Cristin moving up here now!). That is the result of following my heart and why I encourage others to follow theirs. Thank you for reading my posts and for dropping me a line. Love to you, Marguerite xoxo
Christine Benson says
I agree with Laura, that Fear and Worry are useless emotions …….being aware is the key.
Have a beautiful day everyone and thanks Marguerite for always having such thought provoking messages and true concern for all in the world.
Christine