On February 2nd, the groundhog saw his shadow forecasting six more weeks of winter. I saw his photo on the internet. He is regal and looks to be quite clairvoyant.
I have a vision of him emerging sleepily from his hole, stretching, yawning, looking around some, spotting his shadow and racing back into his den. I don’t know if that’s how it works for a groundhog. I know that is sometimes how it works for me.
I set my intention, create a vision for a project, build a plan, break it down into actions, and get busy moving forward. Progressing nicely, I celebrate my successes and reward myself for reaching milestones.
My days are sunny and all is well until the “next thing there is to do” appears too big and way too scary for me to take on. Fear creeps in and the stories I tell myself about failure and “what if?” partner up and come a callin’.
This stops me dead in my tracks. I am motionless, action-less and frozen. I look around tentatively and my shadow sneaks up behind me. There it is, tall and mighty, a perfect reflection of me and yet I feel timid and small.
This is familiar. I have been here before and what I have learned is this: I have three choices.
1. I can run and hide.
2. I can choose to do nothing.
3. Accompanied by my powerful shadow, I can take one small step toward my dream and see what happens.
The first two options most assuredly lead to six more weeks of sleepy inaction, amid blustery conditions. The third choice takes me toward the sun and the life I intend to create.
What do you notice about choice when fear comes a callin’?
Where do you let your shadow be a dis-empowering inauthentic reflection of you?
What is the next small step toward your dream?
What can you choose to create in the next six weeks that will speak powerfully of your unique magnificence?
Today I invite you to stand tall and choose powerfully.
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