A Distraction By Any Other Name is Still a Distraction

As SHARED by Laura Brzegowy our 2014 Successful Scholarship Recipient

To all of the naturally fearless “go getters” of the world, this post will seem like a foreign language; unfamiliar and hard to comprehend. To everyone else, bits and pieces of your life may seem to be intertwined with mine, as you recognize some of my experiences as your own. 

Just as you, I was born a fearless baby. After all, fear isn’t inherent to our makeup, but learned. At some point in our lives an incident taught us to be fearful of various things or experiences. Some of us developed ways of working through our fears, while others have remained mentally paralyzed to the point of avoiding certain circumstances and not living the lives we desire. Historically, I’ve categorized myself as part of the latter group, but that’s not what this nine month “Awaken the Beauty” experience is all about. My work with Leona Wallace has been a once in a lifetime chance to step out of my fearful box and dive head first in to a life of no regrets. As you can imagine, the process has not been without its own set of “hiccups”. My hiccups have been a number of distractions that, interestingly, I’ve not recognized to be so. Each has seemed like the perfect opportunity to gain knowledge or help someone else, but each has also been a beautiful diversion from the personal transformation and desired outcome my heart longs for. Call it what I may, but a distraction by any other name is still a distraction.

Best bosom buddies to distractions are the “status quo” and “comfort zones”, because that is what they wish to maintain. Our goals, or desired outcomes, each require a certain level of growth to attain, or else we’d have already received them. Growth isn’t always easy, is frequently coupled with fear, and certainly isn’t found within the status quo or a comfort zone. Therefore distractions are self-actualized protection mechanisms that we can play into or learn to avoid. Now when I have an opportunity, or possible distraction, I ask myself three questions. If I can’t answer each with an unequivocal YES, I know that the opportunity, indeed, is a distraction. 

1)    Will this take me closer to my desired outcome?
2)    Is this in alignment with my desired outcome?
3)    Is this in my highest good?

In connecting with myself and answering these questions from my deep well of truth, I realize I have a choice. I can choose to take myself further away from my desired outcomes or take another step towards them. It’s my choice. Will I be ruled by distractions and fear, or fueled by my desires? These days, I’m leaning into my fears and releasing distractions in order to achieve my goals and desired outcomes. I’m also learning to “Awaken the Beauty” with Leona. My question to you is… will you take the required and inspired action to join us?

Find our more at www.AwakenTheBeauty.com