THE QUIET ROAR OF SELF-CONFIDENCE

We originally evolved to react FROM our feelings for survival.

To fight when we felt injustice.

To take extra precautions when we felt fear.

Because our emotions’ job was to get us out from the comfort of our cave - for food, firewood, water – just long enough to survive the dangers of the wild.

But the 21st century is now a very different place…

And there are certain moments when instead of reacting FROM our feelings for survival, we are now in a position where we have to learn how to MANAGE them.

Because screaming at a colleague – we imagine - probably wouldn’t serve us too well.  

And most of us are fine feeling our happier, more positive emotions – joy, love, peace, comfort, pride.

But perhaps not so much those more uncomfortable ones...

Fear, doubt, shame, injustice, stress, overwhelm.

Yeah, no thanks.

So from a very young age on, many of us found our own unique way to cope with them…

Because who wants to feel emotional pain?!

It’s very logical to want to ESCAPE them.

So we’ve learned to go out of our way to try and NOT feel certain emotions…

And eat pastries instead. Or zone out in front of the TV. Over-drink. Over-exercise.

And who knows what else.

But now perhaps we have bigger dreams and goals. And access to modern science.

And we start noticing that our coping mechanism may have its underlying flaws – and the extra pounds, the hangovers, or the goals not reached… start adding up.

So going forward, we might need a much better plan.

So we say good-bye to our coping mechanism like a pacifier we brought along from childhood – AND WE THANK THEM.

Because your brain managed to figure out how to help you make it here with the LEAST amount of emotional pain… which is a remarkable achievement.

But now you are ready to pick up the flag and forge ahead.

Because SELF-CONFIDENCE – which for many of us is the Holy Grail of emotions – is within reach and no longer distant.

AND FROM AFAR, SELF-CONFIDENCE MAY SEEM MORE LIKE CLIMBING AN EXTRAORDINARY MOUNTAIN.

OR FIGHTING LIKE WONDER WOMAN.

BUT WAY UP CLOSE, IT’S VERY DIFFERENT…

Because SELF-CONFIDENCE is just knowing that no matter what emotion comes up for you, you can handle them.

Even create a temporary home for them.  

And you keep moving forward towards your goals,

IN SPITE OF THEM.

So some of your MORE INTENSE EMOTIONS that you can’t just process or change, you learn to bring along like a purse or a backpack…

Which means that you WELCOME them.

But you don’t react FROM them.

You just feel the discomfort of feeling perhaps anxious, terrified, overwhelmed – and not make it a problem.

And instead of a fierce battle cry, you learn to tune in to the quiet roar of your own self-confidence…

And one step at a time, you lead the way for your daughter,

and keep forging ahead towards your glorious goals in the distance.